Global Readiness for AI and Digital Health in Infection Prevention and Control
E Tartari, S GastaldiAbstract
Background
Digital transformation is reshaping infection prevention and control (IPC), with artificial intelligence (AI) and digital health tools offering new opportunities for surveillance, decision-making, and workforce training. However, their effective use depends on the digital competencies of the health workforce. Evidence on global readiness, particularly skills, training, and capacity gaps among IPC professionals, remains limited.
Methods
A cross-sectional online survey coordinated by WHO (21 March–17 April 2025) assessed awareness, use, perceived usefulness, and competency-related barriers to AI and digital technologies in IPC. Descriptive analyses were conducted using item-specific denominators. Technology use was analysed among current users, while perceptions and competency needs were assessed across all respondents. Likert-scale items were summarised using medians and interquartile ranges.
Results
Among 441 valid responses across all WHO regions, most participants reported basic awareness of AI and digital tools, but only 24.5% reported current use and just 6.8% had received formal training. Frequently used applications included AI-supported research, semi-automated surveillance, digital learning tools, and antimicrobial resistance detection. Perceived usefulness was high (median 4/5 for most applications), yet major barriers were strongly competency-related: lack of training and skills (74.4%), limited funding (71.4%), and integration challenges (43.3%).
Conclusions
A clear gap exists between awareness and effective use of AI and digital tools in IPC, largely driven by insufficient digital competencies rather than lack of interest. Strengthening workforce skills through structured education, continuous professional development, and competency-based training is essential to support sustainable digital transformation in IPC practice.