Tuskegee leads exploration of AI’s role in improving health outcomes in the deep south
Tuskegee University (TU), a Forge AHEAD Center (FAC) partner, led discussions on artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare and public health at a recent bioethics forum marking its 10th anniversary.
The Forge AHEAD Center joined the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Center for Clinical and Translational Science (CCTS) to explore AI’s role in healthcare ethics, innovation, and community engagement.
Stephen Sodeke, Ph.D., professor at Tuskegee and core faculty with Forge AHEAD’s Community Engagement Core, hosted the forum. Other attendees included Timothy Turner, Ph.D., associate vice president for research at Tuskegee; Chris Williams, a Forge AHEAD community advisory board member; Carol Agomo, Ph.D., and Jared Ball, Forge AHEAD staff members.
Sodeke opened by emphasizing that AI is actively shaping healthcare systems today. “We have a journey ahead with AI, and we must keep the conversation going,” he said.
Keynote speaker Francesca G. Weaks, DrPH, reinforced the importance of responsible AI development that considers broad community input. Participants discussed strategies to ensure transparency and minimize bias in AI applications.
Chris Williams reflected on the depth of the discussions, stating: “The CCTS Bioethics Forum presented a very enlightening delve into the pros and cons of artificial intelligence. While many feel it is a great tool (and it is), there are several challenges to ensuring that it is utilized in a manner that maintains integrity on several levels. The benefits are real, but so are the concerns, so conversations like this are essential to align AI with the needs and values of those who may be impacted by it.”
Agomo, who serves as FAC community engagement lead in Alabama, shared insights on AI integration in public health communications.
“AI is a powerful tool, but human expertise must remain at the center of its use. In public health, we use AI tools with intention—leveraging them to enhance our work while ensuring final oversight remains in the hands of professionals,” Agomo said.
“The CCTS Bioethics Forum presented a very enlightening delve into the pros and cons of artificial intelligence. While many feel it is a great tool (and it is), there are several challenges to ensuring that it is utilized in a manner that maintains integrity on several levels.”
-Chris Williams, FAC CAB Member
Ball, FAC data analyst, noted: “The forum reinforced the importance of transparency in AI-driven decision-making. As someone who works with AI and data, it was valuable to discuss how we can ensure fairness and accountability in the process. We must learn to use AI to assist us, not as the decision-maker, and govern the work we do.”
The Forge AHEAD Center and UAB CCTS continue their partnership to connect research, ethics, and healthcare applications through community engagement and translational research.
Carol Agomo, Ph.D., shares on a panel during the forum
