JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Rapidly evolving artificial intelligence (AI) is capable of structuralizing social, political, and economic determinants of health into the invisible algorithms that shape every facet of modern life. Nevertheless, AI could be a powerful public health tool, enabling beneficial objectives like precision public health and medicine. Developing an AI governance framework that can maximize the benefits and minimize the risks of AI is a significant challenge. The benefits of public health engagement in AI governance could be extensive. Here, we describe how several public health concepts could enhance AI governance. Specifically, we explain how (1) harm reduction provides framework for navigating the governance debate between traditional regulation and “soft law” approaches; (2) a public health understanding of social determinants of health is essential to optimally weigh the potential risks and benefits of AI; (3) public health ethics provides a toolset for guiding governance decisions where individual interests intersect with collective interests; and (5) a One Health approach to AI governance can both improve governance effectiveness while advancing public health outcomes. Public health theories, perspectives, and innovations could substantially enrich and improve AI governance, creating a more equitable and socially beneficial path for AI development.