Global Initiative on Artificial Intelligence for Skin Conditions

About

This WHO Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD)-led Global Initiative discusses progress, challenges, gaps and solutions in developing and implementing artificial augmented intelligence-based apps as a capacity building and monitoring tool for skin NTDs and selected common skin conditions in resource-limited settings.

Augmented intelligence is a subsection of AI machine learning developed to enhance human intelligence rather than operate independently of or replace it outright. It is designed to do so by improving human decision-making and, by extension, actions taken in response to improved decisions.

Objectives of the initiative

1. To bring together experts, developers, policy-makers, donors and users to share their views and ideas so that there is a robust body of knowledge gathered around WHO on AI for skin conditions.
2. To allow WHO to overcome some of the challenges identified such as an insufficient number of photographs on skin NTDs to populate functional libraries from which to train AI algorithms.
3. To ensure a robust, technically sound approach to disseminating, implementing and learning lessons from AI-based tools in real-world settings.

A network of institutions

The participating institutions involved non-profit organizations (nongovernmental organizations or professional associations), WHO collaborating centers, public health institutions, academia and private sector. The list is continuously growing as part of WHO’s advocacy and networking efforts.

How do we work ?

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Collaboration is a key element in progress towards implementing the WHO framework for integrated control and case management of skin NTDs. Elimination and control of skin disease requires coordination of activities to synergize efforts, avoid overlap and harmonize activities.

The WHO network for augmented intelligence on skin NTDs and common skin diseases for capacity building on management and monitoring in resource-limited settings plans to establish a general forum: the stakeholders’ meeting.

Two groups will provide effective support for driving activities during the interval between meetings, with more groups to be added according to identified needs:

1. Scientific and Technical Consultative Group
2. Implementation Coordination Group