AI in Public Health: Threat or Tool?

Will AI take our jobs?
That headline seems to pop up in almost half the articles we see these days. Will AI replace humans? My answer…maybe.

We’ve all seen the movies—I, Robot and countless others—that paint a horror story of robots replacing humans, even transferring human consciousness into metal machines. It’s entertaining on screen, but what about in reality?

Here’s the truth: we have a long way to go before AI fully replaces us. Yes, organizations are adopting AI rapidly, and yes, some layoffs are happening. But if you’ve used AI recently, you know it’s far from perfect. You’ve probably noticed the mistakes: APA citations out of order, references misaligned, and facts that need checking. These “small areas” show us that AI isn’t ready to run the world just yet.

So where does that leave us?

I believe AI can be a powerful tool—especially in public health. Since around 2022, I’ve been exploring how AI can save time, spark ideas, and streamline workflows. For example, AI can:

• Check if programs align with objectives

• Provide outlines or jumpstarts for evaluation metrics

• Draft white papers and reports

• Handle admin tasks like drafting and clarifying emails

• Format blogs and design social posts

• Support resume building and professional development

• Even help brainstorm or launch a side business

The question is: will it make us “dumb”? Will outsourcing too much thinking reduce our brain power? The brain is a muscle—it needs exercise. That’s why I believe AI should never replace our thinking but instead enhance it. When used responsibly, AI can amplify our creativity, efficiency, and impact.

In public health—and in any field—AI isn’t the enemy. It’s not going anywhere. The choice is how we use it: as a crutch or as a tool.

Let’s use it wisely.