The World Health Organization Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean has launched a Community of Practice on AI for disaster and emergency response surveillance through the WHO Collaboratory platform.
According to the organisation, the initiative brings together national authorities, practitioners, researchers, partners, and WHO staff to share knowledge, build capacity, and develop practical guidance on the use of AI in surveillance, early warning, risk assessment, and operational response.
WHO says the Community of Practice is part of its AI Literacy Programme and is intended to strengthen national and regional capacity to evaluate, adopt, govern, and scale AI tools during disasters and health emergencies. Members will have access to training modules, peer-to-peer learning, technical working groups, and a repository of best practices and tested guidance.
The organisation states that the platform prioritises the ethical, equitable, and transparent use of AI in line with its standards. Dr Annette Heinzelmann, WHO Regional Emergency Director, a.i., said:
‘At WHO, we advocate for the science-driven use of artificial intelligence in public health response, especially during emergencies.‘
Heizelmann added:
‘Our priority is to ensure these technologies are applied in ways that are safe, ethical and grounded in public health needs. This initiative reflects our commitment to supporting Member States in translating innovation into faster, more effective emergency response.‘
WHO says it launched the All-Hazards Information Management Toolkit last year as an AI-powered tool to support emergency information management, including rapid risk assessments, response plans, monitoring tools, and situation reports. According to WHO, participants from 20 countries were trained in the use of the toolkit and in AI literacy for emergency preparedness and surveillance.
Dr Oliver Morgan, Head of the WHO Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence, said: ‘Artificial intelligence has enormous potential in public health, but its impact depends on how responsibly and effectively it is applied.’
Morgan expanded: ‘At the WHO Hub in Berlin, we develop innovative tools and bring experts together through initiatives like the Collaboratory to support countries and regions to detect health threats faster and respond more effectively. This Community of Practice helps ensure AI solutions move beyond pilots and into real-world emergency response, where speed, trust and usability matter most.’
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