The World Health Organization (WHO) is making a significant stride in the field of health care by introducing SARAH, a human-like avatar that provides basic health information. This virtual health worker, short for Smart AI Resource Assistant for Health, is designed to communicate in eight languages and offer guidance on a range of health topics including mental health, tobacco use, and healthy eating.
The goal of this initiative is to utilize technology to educate individuals and address the global shortage of health-care workers. While SARAH is programmed to respond empathetically to users’ facial expressions, it sometimes struggles with accuracy in its responses. Despite this limitation, the WHO believes that utilizing AI like SARAH is a step forward in leveraging technology to support health education efforts and bridge the gap in available health-care personnel.
SARAH is designed to be accessible 24/7, making it a convenient resource for individuals seeking information and guidance on a variety of health-related issues. By innovating with AI technology in healthcare, the WHO aims to improve health literacy and promote well-being on a global scale. With SARAH as their virtual companion, people from all over the world can receive accurate and up-to-date information about their health concerns at any time of day or night.
