Work

Artificial intelligence for health security in Africa: Benefits, risks and opportunities

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Artificial intelligence (AI) provides paradigm-shifting opportunities to accelerate epidemic preparedness and response and ensure health security. Such benefits may be particularly applicable to countries in Africa, which have to date struggled to meet compliance obligations under international health security frameworks. Here, we build on discussions that took place at the March 2024 Health Security Partnership for Africa workshop in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to describe potential applications of AI-enabled approaches to accelerate activities throughout the preparedness ecosystem, with a particular focus on the rapid development and deployment of novel vaccines in support of the 100 Days Mission, focusing on Africa. We also consider the risks and barriers that may challenge successful deployment of AI for health security in African settings, and opportunities to elevate African leadership on governance and implementation. • This manuscript reviews the relevance of artificial intelligence (AI) applications to infectious disease preparedness and response, specifically with regards to goal of developing safe and effective vaccines within one hundred days of a new viral threat first being identified. • Applications of AI for health security may be particularly relevant for Africa, to facilitate bridging the digital divide and assuring health security sovereignty. • However, our piece also describes barriers and risks associated with AI-enabled approaches, both writ large and with specific reference to the African context. • We provide insights into opportunity areas and future directions for greater involvement of African voices in AI governance as well as implementation in support of infectious disease preparedness and response.

Source: Epidemics

DOI: 10.1016/j.epidem.2025.100870