WHO/Europe is launching a Knowledge Community (KC) dedicated to responsible artificial intelligence (AI) in health. The call is open to all interested parties, including representatives of Member States; intergovernmental, governmental and nongovernmental organizations; WHO collaborating centres for data and digital health; philanthropic foundations; the private sector; and academic institutions.
The KC will focus on addressing practical and policy-relevant questions around the responsible use of AI in health. Discussions will focus on how countries can apply responsible AI to improve health outcomes and achieve optimal use of resources, while ensuring equity and sustainability. The community will begin by exploring the following guiding question: What actions are required to ensure that AI is both ethically sound and economically sustainable?
The community
KCs are informal, time-bound forums that bring together multidisciplinary expertise to support the analysis of complex issues related to data and digital health in the WHO European Region. Designed as problem-focused platforms, KCs enable members to collectively identify potential solutions through shared experience, dialogue and reflection.
Participation in the KC includes access to a secure online platform hosting relevant WHO documents and open-access scientific literature. The discussion will span 5 weeks starting in October 2025 with a specific sub-theme introduced each week. WHO moderators will guide the dialogue using various interactive methodology to maintain focus and depth, posing follow-up questions as needed to encourage meaningful exchange.
The KC aims to enhance the understanding among stakeholders of key challenges and policy options related to AI implementation in health. The insights gathered will be synthesized in a summary report, produced as a WHO output. This report will be published on the WHO/Europe website under the Chatham House Rule, with no attribution to individual contributions.
Harnessing collaboration
This initiative directly supports the Regional digital health action plan for the WHO European Region 2023–2030 and the WHO Global strategy on digital health, both of which identify collaboration and knowledge exchange as strategic priorities.
The KC also contributes to the broader EU-funded action “Supporting Member States in the WHO European Region in Strengthening Health Information Systems and Boosting Health Data Governance.” It will serve as a dedicated platform for cross-sectoral collaboration and will align with the principles of the European Health Data Space (EHDS), promoting responsible and ethical use of AI through improved governance and interoperability.
By bringing together experts and stakeholders from across the Region, this Knowledge Community will support the responsible integration of AI into national health information systems. In doing so, it will contribute to more equitable, secure and effective use of health data, aligned with the goals of the Second European Programme of Work 2026–2030 (EPW2).
To become part of the KC, please complete the online form by 19 September 2025. If you have any questions, please write to EUDigitalHealth@who.int before the application deadline.