Introduction to Using Generative AI in Public Health from Coursera

The emergence of practical, everyday uses for artificial intelligence tools has captured the imagination of the public, for both good and bad. How, though, can artificial intelligence and generative AI tools like ChatGPT, Midjourney, or even Microsoft Copilot be used to improve the practice of public health? Can they be used safely and ethically? In this introductory, hands-on course, we'll look at these questions through a variety of lenses, offering opportunities to build skills in using generative AI tools in your own public health work.

Introduces students to core concepts in the utilization of generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools. Explores ethical, financial, and policy-based issues in the application of generative AI to public health. Contrasts accuracy and reach of generative AI with the potential for both misinformation and problem-solving. Enables students to develop skills in utilizing generative AI tools for public health research and practice.

What's inside

Syllabus

The How and What? of Generative AI

Applying Generative AI to Public Health Research and Practice

The Future of Generative AI: Ethical and Big Picture Considerations

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Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Offers hands-on experience with generative AI tools, which is valuable for immediate application in public health work

Explores ethical, financial, and policy issues, which are crucial considerations for responsible AI implementation in public health

Contrasts accuracy and reach of generative AI with the potential for misinformation, which is important for researchers to consider

Presented by Johns Hopkins University, which is known for its public health research and training programs

Reviews summary

Introductory ai for public health

According to learners, this course offers a highly relevant and timely introduction (positive) to using generative AI in the field of public health. Students appreciate that the course provides a solid foundation for beginners (positive) and importantly covers ethical considerations (positive) and practical applications (positive). The content is seen as high quality, coming from Johns Hopkins University (positive). However, the rapidly evolving nature of AI means some fear the content could potentially become outdated quickly (warning), highlighting the need for continuous updates. Overall, it serves as a strong initial step for professionals seeking to integrate AI into their public health work.

High-quality content from a reputable source.

"The quality of the content and instruction met the high standards I expect from Johns Hopkins University."

"The material felt credible, well-researched, and academically sound."

"Good academic rigor and presentation quality, as is typical for JHU courses."

Provides a solid foundation for beginners.

"As someone new to generative AI, I found this course provided a very accessible introduction to the core concepts."

"It covers the basics well without overwhelming participants who don't have a technical background."

"This course is a great starting point for anyone looking to understand generative AI without deep technical knowledge."

Shows how to apply AI in practice.

"The course provided helpful examples and case studies illustrating how generative AI can be used in real-world public health scenarios."

"I can now visualize and plan how to use some of these tools in my own public health research and practice."

"It provided concrete ideas and strategies for implementing generative AI in public health work."

Importantly covers ethical considerations.

"I really appreciated the significant time dedicated to discussing the ethical implications and policy issues of using AI in public health."

"Addressing the potential pitfalls and ethical challenges was a crucial part of the course for me."

"The modules focusing on ethics were particularly insightful and well-handled."

Addresses a critical and timely subject.

"This course is incredibly timely given the current AI landscape and its potential impact on public health."

"Finally, a course that specifically connects the dots between emerging AI tools and our work in public health."

"I desperately needed this training to understand how generative AI fits into my professional field."

AI field evolves fast, content may need updates.

"The field of AI is changing so quickly, I worry that some specific tools or examples might evolve or become less relevant soon."

"While the core concepts are solid, the fast pace of AI development means course materials might require frequent updates."

"I hope the instructors continue to update the course content to reflect the latest advancements in generative AI."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Introduction to Using Generative AI in Public Health with these activities:

Review Basic Statistics Concepts

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Reviewing basic statistical concepts will help you better understand how generative AI tools analyze and interpret public health data.

Browse courses on Statistical Analysis

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Review descriptive statistics (mean, median, mode, standard deviation).
Practice calculating basic probabilities.
Familiarize yourself with hypothesis testing concepts.

Read 'AI and Public Health: Opportunities and Challenges'

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Reading this book will provide a broader understanding of AI applications in public health, including the ethical and practical considerations.

View Putting Knowledge to Work on Amazon

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Obtain a copy of the book.
Read the book, taking notes on key concepts and examples.
Reflect on how the concepts relate to the course material.

Follow Tutorials on Prompt Engineering for Public Health Applications

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Following tutorials will provide hands-on experience in crafting effective prompts for generative AI tools in a public health context.

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Find tutorials on prompt engineering for specific generative AI tools.
Work through the tutorials, experimenting with different prompts.
Document your findings and best practices.

Three other activities

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Create a Presentation on Ethical Considerations of Generative AI in Public Health

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Creating a presentation will help you synthesize your understanding of the ethical implications of using generative AI in public health.

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Research ethical frameworks relevant to AI and public health.
Develop a presentation outlining key ethical considerations.
Practice delivering the presentation.

Develop a Generative AI Proposal for a Public Health Issue

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Developing a project proposal will allow you to apply the concepts learned in the course to a real-world public health problem.

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Identify a specific public health issue.
Research how generative AI could address the issue.
Write a proposal outlining the project's goals, methods, and potential impact.

Review 'Deep Learning' by Goodfellow et al.

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Reviewing this book will provide a deeper understanding of the underlying technology behind generative AI.

View Deep Learning on Amazon

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Obtain a copy of the book (available online).
Focus on chapters related to generative models and neural networks.
Relate the concepts to the applications discussed in the course.

Career center

Learners who complete Introduction to Using Generative AI in Public Health will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Public Health Data Analyst

Public Health Data Analysts collect and analyze data to inform public health initiatives and policies. This course is helpful for a data analyst because it provides a foundation in using generative artificial intelligence tools, which can be applied to data analysis and research. The course specifically explores the use of AI in public health research and practice, which is directly relevant to the work of a public health data analyst. Further, the course's exploration of the ethical and policy considerations around AI helps a data analyst to understand the broader context of their work and aids in responsible and accurate analyses.

See salaries and explore the career path for Public Health Data Analyst

Biostatistician

Biostatisticians apply statistical methods to solve public health problems, analyzing complex data sets to draw meaningful conclusions. This course introduces a biostatistician to generative AI tools, which may improve their ability to process and analyze complex datasets. The course's focus on applying AI to public health research and practice ensures that the biostatistician can effectively integrate these tools into their work. The course may also help the biostatistician understand the ethical and policy implications of using AI in their statistical analyses.

See salaries and explore the career path for Biostatistician

Health Informatics Specialist

Health Informatics Specialists manage and analyze health information, using technology to improve healthcare delivery. This course is valuable for a specialist by introducing the use of generative AI tools, which may be used to streamline data analysis and reporting. The course's exploration of using AI in public health research and practice ensures that the specialist can use AI effectively along with an awareness of its possible ethical and policy considerations. The course's hands-on approach to AI tools may help them implement solutions for practical use.

See salaries and explore the career path for Health Informatics Specialist

Epidemiologist

Epidemiologists investigate disease patterns and causes; they often work to prevent outbreaks or develop strategies to control the spread of disease. This course helps epidemiologists with an introduction to generative AI tools, which may streamline data analysis and modeling. The course's focus on applying AI to public health research and practice is important to effectively use AI. The course may be useful as it also promotes an understanding of the ethical implications of using such tools.

See salaries and explore the career path for Epidemiologist

Research Scientist

Research Scientists conduct scientific studies and experiments often within the biomedical and health fields. This course may help a research scientist by introducing them to the capabilities of generative AI tools in research. The course's aim at applying AI to public health research provides scientists with an understanding of the ways in which they may incorporate these tools to streamline their work. The course may also help the scientists better understand ethical considerations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Research Scientist

Health Systems Analyst

Health Systems Analysts research and analyze health systems, identifying areas for improvement and efficiency. This course introduces a systems analyst to the use of generative AI tools which can be applied to improve operations and workflows. The course focuses on AI's application to public health practice and research. The course's examination of ethical concerns around AI is helpful for ensuring responsible implementation of new technologies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Health Systems Analyst

Public Health Researcher

Public Health Researchers design and conduct studies to investigate public health issues. This course offers the researcher an introduction to using generative AI tools, which can streamline research processes and enhance the quality of research findings. The course's focus on applying AI to public health research and practice is directly applicable to research methodologies. This course may help a researcher understand the benefits and limitations of AI tools and how to effectively integrate them into their research workflow, while also promoting an awareness of the ethical implications.

See salaries and explore the career path for Public Health Researcher

Public Health Program Manager

Public Health Program Managers oversee public health programs and initiatives, ensuring they meet their goals. This course may help a program manager to understand how generative AI tools can improve program design, implementation, and evaluation. This course helps provide the program manager with an awareness of the ethical and policy considerations that are necessary when implementing AI solutions to deliver a more targeted and tailored program. The course provides the program manager with hands-on experience, helping them to identify opportunities for program improvement.

See salaries and explore the career path for Public Health Program Manager

Clinical Research Coordinator

Clinical Research Coordinators oversee the administrative and logistical aspects of clinical trials and studies. This course may help a coordinator learn the ways in which generative AI tools may be leveraged to enhance the efficiency of research processes. The course's focus on applying AI to public health research and practice can directly improve a coordinator's workflow. The course, with its focus on ethical considerations, helps the coordinator understand how to adhere to ethical guidelines in research.

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Health Policy Analyst

Health Policy Analysts research and analyze public health policies, often working to improve existing policies or create new ones. This course may be useful for a policy analyst as it explores the ethical, financial, and policy-based issues that arise when using generative AI in public health. Understanding the implications of AI is important when crafting effective and responsible health policies. This course provides the analyst with an in-depth understanding of generative AI and its uses, allowing them to incorporate AI considerations into policy recommendations and providing a background to help evaluate the adoption of AI-driven solutions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Health Policy Analyst

Public Health Communication Specialist

Public Health Communication Specialists develop and implement communication strategies to promote health and prevent disease. This course may be useful for a communications specialist, as it introduces them to generative AI tools that may be used for creating and disseminating health information. This course explores how AI can be used to reach the public more effectively and is also helpful in understanding the ethical considerations of AI while also mitigating misinformation. The course helps a communications specialist understand how to use AI to create targeted messaging.

See salaries and explore the career path for Public Health Communication Specialist

Health Program Evaluator

Health Program Evaluators assess the effectiveness of health programs, recommending improvements based on data and findings. This course may be useful for an evaluator, introducing how generative AI tools may be used to improve data analysis and program evaluation processes. The course's emphasis on the ethical and policy considerations of AI helps ensure that the evaluator understands how to use these tools responsibly. The course provides an understanding of how AI may help streamline the program evaluation process.

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Health Educator

Health Educators teach individuals and communities about health and wellness. This course may be useful for a health educator because it introduces generative AI tools that may be used to create educational materials and personalized learning experiences. The course's exploration of using AI in public health research and practice further provides context for an educator to assess and share resources. The course may help with an understanding of the ethical implications of disseminating AI generated content.

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Community Health Worker

Community Health Workers serve as a bridge between communities and healthcare systems, providing outreach and support. This course may be helpful for a health worker because it provides foundational understanding of AI tools and their applications in public health. The course's exploration of the ethical dimensions of AI also prepares the health worker to responsibly share information with the community. This course provides a background for deploying AI tools at the community level and using AI to gather information regarding the needs of the community.

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Health Services Manager

Health Services Managers plan, direct, and coordinate health services. This course may be helpful for such a manager by introducing generative AI tools that may be used to improve the efficiency of healthcare operations. The course explores the use of AI in public health research and practice. The course may also help a manager understand the ethical and policy considerations when integrating AI solutions in their operations.

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Introduction to Using Generative AI in Public Health

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Syllabus

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Reviews summary

Introductory ai for public health

Activities

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