Designing AI tools to advance health equity in resource-constrained low- and middle-income countries - Summary - MDSpire

Designing AI tools to advance health equity in resource-constrained low- and middle-income countries

  • By

  • Anindya Pradipta Susanto

  • David Lyell

  • Bambang Widyantoro

  • Shlomo Berkovsky

  • Farah Magrabi

  • May 16, 2026

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Objective:

To outline approaches for designing clinician-facing AI tools that advance health equity in resource-constrained low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), emphasizing socio-technical considerations.

Key Findings:
  • AI has transformative potential in LMICs by improving access to health services and reducing disparities, but diverse datasets are crucial for effective implementation.
  • Most AI evaluation studies are conducted in high-income countries, limiting global contributions to equitable health outcomes.
  • A problem-driven approach helps refocus AI development on specific clinical needs rather than solely on technology.
Interpretation:

Integrating socio-technical considerations in AI design can enhance healthcare quality and safety, particularly in resource-constrained environments, by ensuring that AI tools are contextually relevant and user-friendly.

Limitations:
  • Limited literature on clinician-facing AI tools in resource-constrained settings.
  • Challenges in aligning AI tool design with the operational realities of LMICs, including potential biases in AI algorithms due to limited data diversity.
Conclusion:

Adopting a socio-technical lens and a problem-driven approach is essential for developing effective AI solutions that promote health equity in LMICs, addressing the urgent need for equitable healthcare access.

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