WHO Unveils GenAI-Powered Health Promoter SARAH

World Health Organization (WHO) has introduced S.A.R.A.H., a digital health promoter driven by generative AI. S.A.R.A.H. stands for Smart AI Resource Assistant for Health, offering round-the-clock engagement in eight languages on various health topics through any device. 

Its purpose is to support individuals in optimizing their health and well-being journey by providing information on healthy habits and mental health, aiming to empower people to realize their health rights globally.

Key Features

S.A.R.A.H., or Sarah, is designed to educate users about risk factors for major causes of mortality such as cancer, heart disease, lung disease, and diabetes. It offers guidance on quitting tobacco, maintaining physical activity, adopting a healthy diet, and managing stress. Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the WHO Director-General, highlights the potential of AI in enhancing access to health information and calls for further research to explore its benefits and address ethical concerns.

“S.A.R.A.H. gives us a glimpse of how artificial intelligence could be used in future to improve access to health information in a more interactive way. I call on the research community to help us continue to explore how this technology could narrow inequities and help people access up-to-date, reliable health information,” says Ghebreyesus. 

S.A.R.A.H. uses generative AI for more accurate real-time responses, personalized interactions, and empathetic engagement, facilitated by Soul Machines Biological AI. WHO emphasizes the importance of ongoing evaluation, refinement, and adherence to ethical standards in AI development to ensure equitable access, privacy, safety, accuracy, and mitigation of bias.