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The Emergence of AI in Public Health Is Calling for Operational Ethics to Foster Responsible Uses

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  • Gauthier Chassang

    (CERPOP, Université de Toulouse, Inserm, UPS, 31000 Toulouse, France
    Genotoul Societal Platform, Ethics and Biosciences, GIS Genotoul Occitanie, 31000 Toulouse, France
    Unesco Chair, Ethics Science and Society (E2S), Working Group on Digital Ethics, 31000 Toulouse, France)

  • Jérôme Béranger

    (CERPOP, Université de Toulouse, Inserm, UPS, 31000 Toulouse, France
    Unesco Chair, Ethics Science and Society (E2S), Working Group on Digital Ethics, 31000 Toulouse, France)

  • Emmanuelle Rial-Sebbag

    (CERPOP, Université de Toulouse, Inserm, UPS, 31000 Toulouse, France
    Genotoul Societal Platform, Ethics and Biosciences, GIS Genotoul Occitanie, 31000 Toulouse, France
    Unesco Chair, Ethics Science and Society (E2S), Working Group on Digital Ethics, 31000 Toulouse, France)

Abstract

This paper discusses the responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI) in public health and in medicine, and questions the development of AI ethics in international guidelines from a public health perspective. How can a global ethics approach help conceive responsible AI development and use for improving public health? By analysing key international guidelines in AI ethics (UNESCO, WHO, European High-Level Expert Group on AI) and the available literature, this paper advocates conceiving proper ethical and legal frameworks and implementation tools for AI in public health, based on a pragmatic risk-based approach. It highlights how ethical AI principles meet public health objectives and focuses on their value by addressing the meaning of human-centred innovations, transparency, accountability, diversity, equity, privacy protection, technical robustness, environmental protection, and post-marketing surveillance. It concludes that AI technology can reconcile individual and collective ethical approaches to public health, but requires specific legal frameworks and interdisciplinary efforts. Prospects include the development of supporting data infrastructures, of stakeholders’ involvement to ensure long-term commitment and trust, of the public’s and users’ education, and of international organisations’ capacity to coordinate and monitor AI developments. It formulates a proposal to reflect on an integrated transparent public health functionality in digital applications processing data.

Suggested Citation

  • Gauthier Chassang & Jérôme Béranger & Emmanuelle Rial-Sebbag, 2025. "The Emergence of AI in Public Health Is Calling for Operational Ethics to Foster Responsible Uses," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 22(4), pages 1-28, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:22:y:2025:i:4:p:568-:d:1628431
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. MICHELI Marina & FARRELL Eimear & CARBALLA SMICHOWSKI Bruno & POSADA SANCHEZ Monica & SIGNORELLI Serena & VESPE Michele, 2023. "Mapping the landscape of data intermediaries," JRC Research Reports JRC133988, Joint Research Centre.
    2. Sophia Chen, 2025. "How much energy will AI really consume? The good, the bad and the unknown," Nature, Nature, vol. 639(8053), pages 22-24, March.
    3. J. Robert Beck, 2001. "Medical Decision Making: 20 Years of Advancing the Field," Medical Decision Making, , vol. 21(1), pages 73-75, February.
    4. Thomas, J.C. & Sage, M. & Dillenberg, J. & Guillory, V.J., 2002. "A code of ethics for public health," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 92(7), pages 1057-1059.
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