Application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Health Promotion

What is it about?

This study examined how the Health Promotion Bureau (HPB), a key health agency in Sri Lanka, is using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to improve its public health messages on social media. Specifically, it looked at whether posts using AI-generated images performed better than traditional posts. The key finding was that AI significantly boosted public engagement. When the HPB used AI to create images for their social media posts, those posts reached 30-40% more people and generated more interaction (like likes, shares, comments) compared to posts made without AI. This shows that AI-created visuals are much more effective at grabbing the public's attention for important health information. Beyond just better social media results, the study found AI helps the HPB in several important ways. It makes their health advocacy messages more impactful, helps them mediate discussions and bring different groups together, supports efforts to change health policies, and empowers communities by providing clearer information. Essentially, AI acts as a powerful tool to enhance their core health promotion work. However, successfully using AI also brings challenges. The HPB faced difficulties in areas like establishing clear rules for managing data responsibly and ethically (data governance), having the right computer systems and tools (infrastructure), ensuring staff have the necessary AI skills (workforce training), and building strong partnerships with other organizations. To overcome these hurdles and fully benefit from AI, the study recommends the HPB needs: 1) Formal rules for data management, 2) Upgraded technical systems, and 3) Structured training programs for staff. This case study demonstrates that public health agencies like the HPB can successfully use AI to significantly improve their communication and impact, but they need the right support structures in place. More research is still needed to understand exactly how the public responds to AI-generated health materials.

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