Exploring AI’s potential to drive better health outcomes

Inform your discussions and decisions this week. Health disparities in the United States continue to pose a problem. Differences exist in both access and outcomes and are driven by race, ethnicity, gender, age, and geography. Economist Impact’s latest report, commissioned by EMD Serono, Navigating the Promise and Potential Pitfalls: AI and Health Equity, examines how AI could aid efforts to tackle such inequities.

The report shows AI’s growing influence in transforming healthcare delivery, improving diagnostic accuracy, and streamlining both clinical and administrative workflows. It also warns that biased data and flawed algorithms could inadvertently widen disparities if not managed carefully. This research makes clear that how people integrate AI into healthcare will determine whether it serves as a powerful tool for equity or reinforces existing inequities and barriers.

Supply chains have long been overseen by people. Today, they increasingly rely on a system that promises far greater accuracy–AI. From optimising operations to scenario simulation and automated procurement, generative AI is reshaping trade and supply chains. According to our survey, AI and other advanced technologies are the chief reasons to be optimistic about the future of global trade during a turbulent period.

However, smarter algorithms do not always mean smoother operations. Explore our latest article, part of our Trade in Transition programme, to learn about the challenges firms face in adopting AI, ranging from regulatory risks to concerns over data security.

Also in this issue, watch our panel from Sustainability Week London to hear business leaders discuss what sustainable leadership looks like in the age of AI. You can also read why the digital divide persists, and what needs to be done to close the gap.

America’s healthcare system is beset by disparities, spanning race, ethnicity, gender, age, and geography. Tackling these will of course require creative solutions. One promising approach is the growing use of AI in healthcare. Economist Impact, supported by EMD Serono, set out to assess how AI can mitigate and/or exacerbate health disparities in the US.

From enhancing risk models to revolutionizing securities processing, discover how AI is transforming capital markets, and explore the opportunities and challenges financial firms face in adopting AI-driven automation to maintain a competitive edge.

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