Symposium "Artificial Intelligence in Public Health Research"
Next Symposium: 9th-10th September, 2026
Save-the-date: Third edition on 9th–10th September, 2026
The third edition of the "AI in Public Health Research" Symposium will take place on 9th-10th September, 2026, in Berlin, Germany.
Please click here to pre-register.
Privacy policy of the 2026 Symposium [PDF, 162KB, File does not meet accessibility standards]
Second edition: 14th–15th May, 2025
The second “Artificial Intelligence in Public Health Research” Symposium took place on 14th–15th May 2025 at the Conference Centre of the Federal Ministries in Berlin. Organised by the ZKI-PH, the event brought together more than 180 participants from across Europe and beyond to explore the role of AI in transforming public health research and practice. Building on the success of its inaugural edition in 2023, the second symposium once again fostered the dialogue between researchers, policymakers, and practitioners.
The two-day programme featured 15 talks across four thematic sessions:
- AI-Supported Decision-Making in Public Health
- AI-based Strategies to Overcome AMR Challenges
- Climate Change and Public Health
- Regulatory Framework for AI and ML in Public Health
A number of key themes emerged from the discussions. Above all, the need for structured, standardised data was repeatedly highlighted as a critical foundation for the meaningful application of AI in public health. Presentations also demonstrated how AI can support the early detection of disease patterns, reduce unnecessary antibiotic use, and better target vaccine development and vaccination campaigns. Discussions on regulatory frameworks underscored the potential of the EU AI Act and the European Health Data Space (EHDS) to enable secure, ethical data use.
ZKI-PH PhD students presented their ongoing research during the poster sessions. Overall, the symposium offered a valuable space for knowledge exchange and collaboration, pointing the way towards a data-driven, AI-enabled future for public health.
Further information on the 2025 Symposium
Programme of the 2025 Symposium [PDF, 4MB, File does not meet accessibility standards]
First edition: 9th–10th November, 2023
The inaugural symposium of the ZKI-PH on the topic of "AI in Public Health Research" attracted an international audience of experts from science, industry, and public institutions on 9th and 10th November 2023 at the Conference Centre of the Federal Ministries.
The first symposium was part of a series of events that took place in 2023 year in Berlin and Boston in the framework of the BMG's Data for Health initiative. Collaborations and discussions within the initiative aimed to make health data usable for global public health research.
15 international speakers presented research findings and insights into five thematic sessions:
- AI-Supported Decision Making in Public Health
- AI-Supported Diagnostic and Imaging Tools
- Technology Showcase
- Privacy Preserving AI Tools in Public Health Research
- Climate Change and Public Health
Two days of discussions yielded several major themes. Crucial principles were proposed to protect personal data in digital health systems, safeguard privacy and ensure the responsible use of AI. The direct impact of environmental factors on health was repeatedly demonstrated, highlighting climate change as one of the major challenges to public health. The pivotal role of regulatory science in healthcare was emphasised, with the aim of striking a balance between ground-breaking advancements and practical applications.
This first edition of the symposium welcomed approximately 100 guests on site and up to 150 participants online. ZKI-PH PhD students presented their ongoing research provided an opportunity for scientific exchange, discussion of results and initiation of new collaborations.
Further information on the 2023 Symposium
*The first and second symposia were financially supported as part of the AI-DAVis project, funded by the Federal Ministry of Health (BMG) under grant No. 2523DAT400.