The World Health Organization (WHO) unveiled a new weapon in its public health arsenal: S.A.R.A.H., a digital health promoter powered by generative artificial intelligence (AI). This comes just ahead of World Health Day, themed “My Health, My Right.”
S.A.R.A.H., which stands for Smart AI Resource Assistant for Health, represents a significant advancement in AI-powered health information dissemination. It leverages cutting-edge technology to provide users with enhanced, empathetic responses tailored to their specific needs.
S.A.R.A.H, a Smart AI Resource Assistant for Health. Source: WHO
This digital health promoter operates 24/7 and can engage users in eight different languages on a variety of health topics, accessible from any device. S.A.R.A.H. aims to empower individuals to take charge of their well-being by offering guidance on fostering healthy habits and addressing mental health concerns.
WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasized the importance of digital technologies in the future of healthcare, stating, “S.A.R.A.H. gives us a glimpse of how artificial intelligence could be used in the future to improve access to health information in a more interactive way.” Dr. Ghebreyesus called on the research community to collaborate in exploring how this technology can be further developed to narrow health information inequities and empower people everywhere to access up-to-date, reliable health resources.
The launch of S.A.R.A.H. signifies a new era of accessible and interactive health information delivery. This AI-powered tool has the potential to revolutionize how individuals around the world approach their health and wellness.
