NEW YORK / RankWire.AI / – Global health leaders gathered during a UN General Assembly event to advocate for the adoption of artificial intelligence driven by national governments to eliminate diseases. The conference convened ministers, public health experts, funders, and diagnostics specialists. The Global Institute for Disease Elimination, known as GLIDE, hosted the event alongside the RBM Partnership to End Malaria and Nigeria. The discussions centered on disease surveillance, health system planning, resource distribution, and the prerequisites for responsible AI application.
Speakers emphasized that governments should lead in decision-making regarding the integration and management of AI tools in healthcare systems. Michael Adekunle Charles, CEO of the RBM Partnership to End Malaria, spoke on behalf of Nigeria’s health minister, Muhammad Ali Pate. Nigeria is still rolling out its Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative, which addresses primary healthcare, health financing, workforce development, and improved data systems. Attendees also stressed the importance of aligning new technological advancements with existing national health priorities.
The session explored essential practical factors for expanding AI use in disease control programs. Reliable data, capable healthcare workers, sustainable funding, and system integration were identified as crucial needs. Malaria continues to be a primary concern for international health organizations. According to the World Health Organization, global malaria cases reached 282 million in 2024, resulting in 610,000 deaths. The WHO African Region bore the majority of this burden, with Nigeria recording the highest estimated malaria case count.
New AI Initiatives Aim to Strengthen Leadership in Public Health
GLIDE unveiled two new training programs designed to enhance public health leaders’ understanding of artificial intelligence. The GLIDE Leadership Excellence in AI for Health program will bring senior decision-makers to Abu Dhabi from January 17 to 22, 2027. The initial residential cohort will comprise 25 to 30 participants. The training will cover AI governance, organizational readiness, deployment strategies, and accountability measures. It targets officials responsible for health policy and national disease programs.
Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence collaborated with GLIDE to develop a second initiative, AI for All, aimed at public health professionals. This online course consists of four modules and does not require coding skills. It introduces fundamental AI concepts, generative AI, bias, privacy, accountability, and human oversight. The curriculum provides health experts with a foundational understanding to evaluate AI tools used in public health. It also guides organizations on assessing technology before adopting it into routine operations.
Partnerships Enhance Technical Support for Malaria Control
During the New York meeting, GLIDE and the RBM Partnership to End Malaria signed a mutual understanding agreement. This partnership links technical expertise, innovation, and capacity building with national malaria priorities. It aims to support country-led efforts in malaria prevention and elimination. The collaboration aligns with the World Health Organization’s Global Technical Strategy for Malaria. The strategy guides international efforts to decrease malaria cases and fatalities through 2030, emphasizing surveillance and strengthening health systems.
The broader discussion also addressed polio and neglected tropical diseases alongside malaria. Participants examined how AI can improve surveillance, inform program decisions, and optimize resource use. The event kept national health authorities at the core of technological decision-making. Organizers underscored the importance of training and institutional capacity as countries adopt new digital tools. The initiatives announced in New York connected AI education, technical cooperation, and national leadership with ongoing efforts to eliminate preventable infectious diseases.