SPEAKERS
UNU IIGH |
Research Lead Power and Accountability, United Nations University IIGH |
Public Health Physician, National Institutes of Health Malaysia |
Science Matters, India |
|
UN Women, New York |
Centre for Advanced Studies in Bioscience Innovation Law, University of Copenhagen |
Senior Researcher and Team Lead, UNU Macau |
DESCRIPTION
AI and other digital technologies are rapidly transforming health systems worldwide. From revolutionising diagnostics and expanding healthcare access to reshaping health workforce dynamics and enhancing patient engagement, these innovations offer immense potential to accelerate progress toward universal health coverage and reduce healthcare costs. However, these benefits are accompanied by significant ethical, regulatory, and equity challenges. Without strong digital health governance frameworks, the digital transformation risks deepening existing health disparities, particularly among underserved populations. Key concerns include:
- Privacy and data misuse
The collection and use of personal health data raise serious privacy concerns. Health records may be stolen, unlawfully shared, or exploited by governments or corporations, potentially affecting individuals’ access to healthcare, employment, insurance, and other social services. - Gender biases in AI
These biases, emanating from societal inequities, risk exacerbating gender disparities in healthcare outcomes if not addressed. When this input data embodies societal biases, AI algorithms may perpetuate and even magnify these biases, affecting gender equity in healthcare. - Digital divides and inequities
Unequal access to digital technologies risks creating a "two-tier" healthcare system—where wealthier groups receive personalised, face-to-face care while low-income populations are relegated to automated, impersonal digital services. - Health disinformation
The spread of misinformation through social media and health platforms can undermine public trust and harm health outcomes. The COVID-19 pandemic illustrated how false claims about vaccines derailed critical public health efforts.
This session brings together leading experts from academia, civil society, and the private sector to explore the evolving role of AI and digital technologies in health systems and health governance. While there has been much discussion about the transformative potential of these technologies on the delivery of healthcare, this session will focus on the impact of AI on the systems of governance and management that are relevant to the health sector.
Key themes will include how digital transformations will shift power across the health system and how the large and powerful tech companies that are shaping the new and emerging digital health ecosystems are being held accountable. The session will highlight not just the governance challenges of ensuring equitable access to new digital technologies, but also the ethical and regulatory challenges involved in protecting human rights and the wider public interest.
This session is part of the UNU Macau AI Conference 2025, which brings together thought leaders, innovators, and stakeholders under the theme AI for Humanity: Building an Equitable Digital Future. To view the full program, please visit the program page. To join the Conference, please visit the registration page.
Celebrating #UN80 and #UNUat50 | Oct. 23-25, 2025 | Macau SAR, China
UNU Macau AI Conference 2025 | AI Education Day | AI for SDGs: Global Youth AI Future Innovation Competition
