The Future of AI in Public Health: Lessons from Africa CDC

Artificial Intelligence is reshaping how we approach public health challenges, particularly in resource-constrained settings. During my internship at Africa CDC's Science & Innovation Directorate, I witnessed firsthand how data-driven approaches can accelerate outbreak preparedness and response. The key insight? Technology alone isn't enough. Successful AI implementation in public health requires deep understanding of local contexts, robust data governance frameworks, and genuine collaboration between technologists and health workers. As we look ahead, the integration of AI in public health will depend on our ability to build systems that are not only technically sound but also ethically grounded and contextually appropriate.