About WHO
Our primary role is to direct and coordinate international health within the United Nations system. Our main areas of work are health systems; health through the life-course; noncommunicable and communicable diseases; preparedness, surveillance and response; and corporate services.Activities by WHO
Spotlight Initiative – Mining Gender Perceptions from Public Radio Discussions
Africa UgandaThis project uses an AI-powered public radio social listening tool to mine data on perceptions around Gender Based Violence (GBV), Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG), Harmful Practices (HP), Sexual Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR), and Violence Against Children (VAC). The data provides insights for timely and targeted interventions. Radio remains the most popular source of information in Uganda, used by different people irrespective of their demographics. Radio shows allow two-way communication between radio studios and people in the community through call-ins, making them a rich representation of the people that are digitally marginalized.
Activity Type AI Tools/SolutionsResearch/Reports/AssessmentsPulseSatellite: A collaboration tool using human-AI interaction to analyse satellite imagery
Africa, Asia and the Pacific BangladeshSomalia
PulseSatellite is a collaborative satellite image analysis tool that leverages neural network models that can be retrained on-the-fly and adapted to specific humanitarian contexts and geographies. The tool has models for mapping structures in refugee settlements, roof density detection, and flood mapping.
We are also working closely with UNOSAT to develop benchmark datasets for shelter (refugee camp) mapping, building footprint detection and damage assessment. We plan to use these to test many of the available well trained and top-performing models, but in the context of UN-focused datasets (e.g. with more of a Global South and development context than many of the standard machine learning benchmarks) and make this available as a service to the UN system.
Operational contexts are rapidly changing, meaning that AI models may not always perform well. Through using a human-in-the-loop approach we have found that models can be adapted to such changing settings, however, this still requires (sometimes significant) manual intervention from analysts.
The Global Initiative on AI for Health (GI-AI4H)
GlobalThe launch of the GI-AI4H is a landmark moment of harnessing the potential of AI in health. This transition was and is possible thanks to the commitment of three key United Nations agencies, the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) to enable, facilitate and implement the adoption of AI-based technologies for health. The setting up of the GI-AI4H moves beyond the traditional boundaries of individual organizations. It is a testament to the recognition that addressing the complex challenges and opportunities presented by AI in health requires a multidimensional and collaborative approach. By pooling their joint expertise and resources the initiative aims at becoming a powerful force aligned to two core objectives: Firstly, the GI-AI4H is dedicated to ensuring innovation and global accessibility to AI solutions across healthcare services. In leveraging AI, WHO envisions a future where innovative technologies bridge gaps in healthcare delivery, making essential services accessible to everyone, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). Secondly, the promotion of ethical and equitable advancements in health AI technology. Recognizing the potential risks and disparities associated with AI from its inception in policymaking to the implementation on the ground, the initiative places a strong emphasis on ensuring that technological progress is accompanied by principles of fairness, inclusivity, and ethical considerations. This commitment underscores the intention to create a healthcare landscape where the benefits of AI are equitably distributed, leaving no one behind.
Activity Type Research/Reports/AssessmentsGlobal Initiative on Artificial Intelligence for Health (GI-AI4H)
Global Not Applicable
The GI-AI4H is a global collaboration initiative led by ITU, WHO, and WIPO, dedicated to ensuring that AI improves health outcomes ethically and equitably. Its work is centered on three pillars:
• Enable: Develop International standards, governance, and ethical frameworks for safe use of AI in Health.
• Facilitate: Promote knowledge and data sharing, foster multi-stakeholder partnerships and strengthen global cooperation.
• Implement: Support scalable real-world deployment of AI in health, especially in low-resource settings.
The initiative delivers benchmarking tools, policy guidance, innovation insights, and best practices to build trusted AI-enabled health systems and its ultimate goal is to make AI-driven healthcare trustworthy, inclusive, sustainable, and accessible worldwide.