Artificial Intelligence in Public Health: Reimagining the Role of Primary Care

Abstract

Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming integral to public health by enabling more precise, proactive, and population-scale interventions. In this article, the authors describe the application of AI tools-particularly those using data from primary care settings-in support of public health goals. The authors outline what primary care clinicians need to understand about AI, identify the core skills required to participate in AI-driven systems, and describe how primary care can shape AI applications to align with health equity and community needs.

Keywords: Artificial intelligence; Clinical decision support systems; Health equity; Predictive analytics; Primary health care; Public health.