Pre-conference: Getting practical with AI in public health: real-world applications, challenges, and ethical considerations (DIGI)
Tuesday 11 November, 09:00 – 17:00 Helsinki time
(with network lunch at 12:30)
Organised by
EUPHA Digital health and AI section
Abstract
The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into public health practice is rapidly evolving, with applications spanning epidemiological modeling, disease prediction, patient-centered care, and health system optimization. However, the real-world implementation of AI tools presents challenges, including bias, regulatory constraints, and ethical concerns. This pre-conference will provide participants with hands-on experience in applying AI to public health problems, focusing on practical use cases rather than technological details. Through discussions, case studies, and collaborative exercises, participants will critically assess AI’s strengths and weaknesses, explore fair and equitable AI implementations, and navigate regulatory and ethical considerations, particularly in light of the EU AI Act.
Objectives
- Understand how AI is currently being used in public health research and practice.
- Identify key challenges, biases, and ethical considerations in AI-driven health interventions.
- Explore regulatory implications, including the EU AI Act’s impact on AI use for public health.
- Foster networking and knowledge exchange through interactive discussions and real-world case studies.
Expected outcomes
- Increased awareness of real-world AI applications in public health.
- Practical insights into addressing bias and ethical concerns in AI-driven health tools.
- Enhanced collaboration among public health professionals, AI practitioners, and policymakers.
- Actionable steps for integrating AI responsibly into public health initiatives.
- A shared resource of AI use cases and best practices for equitable implementation.
Participating organisations
- Leibniz ScienceCampus Digital Public Health (LSC DiPH) Bremen
- German Public Health Association (DGPH) - Digital Public Health Section
- SIIAM- Italian Society of Artificial Intelligence in Medicine
Programme
| 09:00 - 09:30 | Welcome & Introduction |
Dr Stefan Buttigieg, Dr Laura Maaß, Dr Francesco Baglivo |
| 09:30 - 10:15 | Navigating the Ethical and Legal Landscape of AI in European Public Health |
Dr Stefan Buttigieg, Dr Laura Maaß (moderators) |
| The EU AI Act: Its implications for trustworthy development of medical AI and user responsibilities | Dr Laura Maaß | |
| Panel discussion: Ethical and legal responsibilities when implementing AI in public health | TBA | |
| 10:30 - 11:00 | Coffee Break & Networking | |
| 11:00 - 12:30 | Vibe Coding for Public Health: Turning Ideas into AI-generated Tools (interactive) | Dr Stefan Buttigieg, Dr Francesco Baglivo |
| 12:30 - 13:30 | Lunch Break & Informal Networking | |
| 13:30 - 14:30 | Through the AI Lens: Understanding Bias, Reasoning, and the Limits of Predictability (interactive) | Dr Francesco Baglivo (moderator) |
| Predictability and reasoning models in AI: Why one-size-fits-all doesn’t work and how to identify bias in responses | Prof Dr Simon Bacon | |
| Bias in AI tools: How does bias in LLMs impact responses, and how can this bias be identified? | Ass Prof Dr Nolwenn Le Meur | |
| Panel discussion: How can we implement this knowledge in our everyday use of AI tools for public health purposes? | Dr Francesco Baglivo, Dr Laura Maaß (moderators) | |
| 14:30 - 15:00 | Learning from the Field: Real-World AI Applications in Public Health Practice and Research I | Mario Bruschi (moderator) |
| Applying AI-based approaches in clinical practice in Italy | Dott. Emanuele Arca’ & Dott. Nicolò Scarsi | |
| Using AI to evaluate the environmental impact on public health and social inequalities | Dr Maria Gültzow | |
| Evaluation of a Large Language Model in assessing risk-of-bias and community engagement levels: a use-case analysis | Dr. Marcello Di Pumpo | |
| 15:00 - 15:30 | Coffee Break & Networking | |
| 15:30 - 16:00 | Learning from the Field: Real-World AI Applications in Public Health Practice and Research II | Mario Bruschi (moderator) |
| 16:00 - 16:45 | From Insight to Action: Embedding AI Knowledge in Public Health Practice and Research | Mario Bruschi (moderator) |
| 16:45 - 17:00 | Wrap-Up and Next Steps | Dr Stefan Buttigieg, Dr Laura Maaß |
Registration
The registration fee is EUR 160. Networking lunch and refreshments are included.