Public health researcher Sara Causevic engages in AI for sustainability research
Sara Causevic, you are researcher at the Department of Public Health Sciences at Stockholm University. But recently on LinkedIn you shared a perspective article on AI for sustainability that you have published together with three other researchers in the scientific journal Discover Conservation. AI for sustainability research is a bit out of your sphere as a researcher of public health. What are the reasons for you engaging in this?
“I am primarily a researcher i health systems and policy, including global health policies, which includes engaging in the interdisciplinary nature of solving complex global challenges that can have an effect on health outcomes. Global and public health have been widely affected by environmental and social determinants, which are also impacted by sustainability issues. AI is an evolving theme, and it has become quite relevant both in terms of its applications and research across various sectors, including public health, environmental conservation, and sustainability. Therefore, I was interested in learning from my co-authors how AI can be harnessed to address interconnected
global challenges and contribute my public health perspective to a broader conversation on sustainability. I always believe that collaboration with experts from different fields enriches our collective understanding and opens new avenues for innovative solutions.”
What are the key findings in this article?
“The article highlights AI's potential as a powerful tool for advancing sustainability initiatives in forestry preservation. Forests are important for human and planetary health. We identified several key areas where AI can make significant contributions, including optimizing resource management, predicting environmental changes, enhancing conservation efforts, and supporting policy-making with data-driven insights. However, we also emphasized the ethical considerations and potential risks associated with AI, particularly the need for equitable access to AI technologies, focusing on both the public and the private sector, and the importance of mitigating unintended consequences through better governance.”
I always believe that collaboration with experts from different fields enriches our collective understanding and opens new avenues for innovative solutions.
What was your contribution as a public health researcher in this study?
“Integrating the public health perspective into the discussion on AI for sustainability is an aspect that we do not see often when it comes to AI and Earth observation technologies. I focused on the human health implications of sustainability challenges. My role was to ensure that the public health dimension was adequately represented, emphasizing the importance of health equity in the development and application of AI for sustainability.”
Håkan Soold
The article Artificial intelligence for sustainability: opportunities and risks of utilizing Earth observation technologies to protect forests was published in the scientific journal Discover Conservation in July.
Sara Causevic is a post doctoral fellow at the Department of Public Health Sciences, Stockholm University. Her research field is health policy and systems. Furthermore, she is involved in policy and advocacy efforts related to parallel crises (climate change, pandemic, and conflict) and their effect on health.
Last updated: August 20, 2024
Source: Department of Public Health Sciences