AI and Health Disparities on a Global Stage

As a proud partner of the France-Atlanta program for several years, Emory Center for Ethics was especially excited to co-host this year’s global educational program: Simuvaction – AI And Health Disparities on a Global Stage. Participation and partnership was truly international. Emory University joined local, regional, and global partners, including Nantes University, France-Atlanta, the Office of Science and Technology of the Embassy of France, the Georgia Institute of Technology, as well as eight Consulates, and several healthcare corporations and NGOs. This collaboration produced a world-class learning experience for 40 students in the field of AI and healthcare ethics.

What is a Simuvaction? It is a replication of a “Global Partnership on AI” meeting where students coming from eleven academic Institutions (Emory, Georgia Tech, Spelman College, Morehouse School of Medicine, the University of Montreal, Nantes Université (France),  University of  Florence (Italy), University of  Birmingham (UK), Koln  University (Germany), Semmelweis University (Hungary), Leiden University (Netherlands))  play the role of national delegates, stakeholders and journalists and think collectively about one of the most challenging AI quandaries: How can we ensure that AI, designed to help address health inequities does not, in fact, increase such disparities?

Beyond the academic exercise for the students, the Simuvaction on AI strengthens connections between academic, economic, institutional, and non-governmental organizations. AI and Healthcare expert-led conferences, contacts with the Embassies of assigned delegations, coaching with real businesses and NGOs (for the journalist and lobbyist teams), are integral parts of the course and therefore, an opportunity for the colleges and communities to cross their interests, develop their networks and foresee further collaboration.

For more information about this year’s program, read the program guide, visit the website, or contact the program’s director: Anne-Elisabeth Courrier at acourri@emory.edu. Learn more about Anne-Elisabeth's role at the Center for Ethics here.