AI4PH, in collaboration with the Office of Public Health Field Services and Training, Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) presents a six-part webinar series on AI for Public Health. Running from September 2026 to February 2027, each 1.5-hour session combines an expert-led session with contributors from across public health, practitioners and academics with 30 minutes for questions and discussion. Presentations will be in English; participants may ask questions in the official language of their choice. All sessions will be recorded, translated into French, and hosted on the PHAC website.

Session 1: Introduction to AI in Public Health 
With Dr. Laura Rosella
September 23, 2026, 12:00-1:30 PM ET

Professor Laura Rosella introduces the core tenets of AI4PH: how AI is being used across the public health system, the opportunities and risks, and why responsible AI and health equity are central to how this technology must be applied.

Session 2: AI Methods in Public Health (Part 1)
With Lisa Fan, Lisa Lix, and Laura Rosella
Chaired by Daniel Lizotte
October 26, 2026, 12:00-1:30 PM ET

A practical walkthrough of the methods in use across Canadian public health today. Methods to be discussed include: NLP on clinical and social text, predictive and risk modelling, simulation and systems modelling, operational AI, and emerging agentic AI capabilities, with responsible AI and governance woven throughout. 

The report launch event took place on May 22nd 2024. Please check back soon for the report response and Q&A from the event. 

This report is based on the discussion and findings from a workshop organized by AI4PH and Statistics Canada that took place in October, 2023.

The 2023 workshop focused on creating connections and understanding around national data, artificial intelligence (AI) and public health. Workshop participants were from the national agencies working on public health (Statistics Canada, the Public Health Agency of Canada, Health Canada and the Canadian Institution of Health Information). Workshop themes include data availability, linkage and standards, modern analytical infrastructure, building capacity for AI work, collaboration between organizations, community engagement and the importance of considering bias and equity in AI applications for public health.

The workshop was funded by the CIHR Planning and Dissemination Grants through the Institute of Community Support competition.

This report includes an executive summary and recommendations, a detailed outline of the workshop sessions, discussion of alignment between academic and government perspectives, the workshop method, and a synopsis of attendee discussions.