The Role of AI-Based Chatbots in Public Health Emergencies: A Narrative Review
The rapid emergence of infectious disease outbreaks has underscored the urgent need for effective communication tools to manage public health crises. Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based chatbots have become increasingly important in these situations, serving as critical resources to provide immediate...
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MDPI AG
2025-03-01
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| Series: | Future Internet |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1999-5903/17/4/145 |
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| author | Francesco Branda Massimo Stella Cecilia Ceccarelli Federico Cabitza Giancarlo Ceccarelli Antonello Maruotti Massimo Ciccozzi Fabio Scarpa |
| author_facet | Francesco Branda Massimo Stella Cecilia Ceccarelli Federico Cabitza Giancarlo Ceccarelli Antonello Maruotti Massimo Ciccozzi Fabio Scarpa |
| author_sort | Francesco Branda |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The rapid emergence of infectious disease outbreaks has underscored the urgent need for effective communication tools to manage public health crises. Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based chatbots have become increasingly important in these situations, serving as critical resources to provide immediate and reliable information. This review examines the role of AI-based chatbots in public health emergencies, particularly during infectious disease outbreaks. By providing real-time responses to public inquiries, these chatbots help disseminate accurate information, correct misinformation, and reduce public anxiety. Furthermore, AI chatbots play a vital role in supporting healthcare systems by triaging inquiries, offering guidance on symptoms and preventive measures, and directing users to appropriate health services. This not only enhances public access to critical information but also helps alleviate the workload of healthcare professionals, allowing them to focus on more complex tasks. However, the implementation of AI-based chatbots is not without challenges. Issues such as the accuracy of information, user trust, and ethical considerations regarding data privacy are critical factors that need to be addressed to optimize their effectiveness. Additionally, the adaptability of these chatbots to rapidly evolving health scenarios is essential for their sustained relevance. Despite these challenges, the potential of AI-driven chatbots to transform public health communication during emergencies is significant. This review highlights the importance of continuous development and the integration of AI chatbots into public health strategies to enhance preparedness and response efforts during infectious disease outbreaks. Their role in providing accessible, accurate, and timely information makes them indispensable tools in modern public health emergency management. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-11fe0fbf7f92460ca2a2753882955ef7 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1999-5903 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Future Internet |
| spelling | doaj-art-11fe0fbf7f92460ca2a2753882955ef72025-08-20T02:18:05ZengMDPI AGFuture Internet1999-59032025-03-0117414510.3390/fi17040145The Role of AI-Based Chatbots in Public Health Emergencies: A Narrative ReviewFrancesco Branda0Massimo Stella1Cecilia Ceccarelli2Federico Cabitza3Giancarlo Ceccarelli4Antonello Maruotti5Massimo Ciccozzi6Fabio Scarpa7Unit of Medical Statistics and Molecular Epidemiology, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, 00128 Rome, ItalyDepartment of Psychology and Cognitive Science, University of Trento, 38122 Trento, ItalyArchitectural Science School, Department of Architecture, Roma Tre University, 00100 Rome, ItalyDepartment of Computer Science, Systems and Communication, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20126 Milan, ItalyDepartment of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, University of Rome Sapienza, 00161 Rome, ItalyDepartment GEPLI, LUMSA University, 00192 Rome, ItalyUnit of Medical Statistics and Molecular Epidemiology, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, 00128 Rome, ItalyDepartment of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, ItalyThe rapid emergence of infectious disease outbreaks has underscored the urgent need for effective communication tools to manage public health crises. Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based chatbots have become increasingly important in these situations, serving as critical resources to provide immediate and reliable information. This review examines the role of AI-based chatbots in public health emergencies, particularly during infectious disease outbreaks. By providing real-time responses to public inquiries, these chatbots help disseminate accurate information, correct misinformation, and reduce public anxiety. Furthermore, AI chatbots play a vital role in supporting healthcare systems by triaging inquiries, offering guidance on symptoms and preventive measures, and directing users to appropriate health services. This not only enhances public access to critical information but also helps alleviate the workload of healthcare professionals, allowing them to focus on more complex tasks. However, the implementation of AI-based chatbots is not without challenges. Issues such as the accuracy of information, user trust, and ethical considerations regarding data privacy are critical factors that need to be addressed to optimize their effectiveness. Additionally, the adaptability of these chatbots to rapidly evolving health scenarios is essential for their sustained relevance. Despite these challenges, the potential of AI-driven chatbots to transform public health communication during emergencies is significant. This review highlights the importance of continuous development and the integration of AI chatbots into public health strategies to enhance preparedness and response efforts during infectious disease outbreaks. Their role in providing accessible, accurate, and timely information makes them indispensable tools in modern public health emergency management.https://www.mdpi.com/1999-5903/17/4/145artificial intelligencedisease surveillanceChatGPTmisinformationCOVID-19health communication |
| spellingShingle | Francesco Branda Massimo Stella Cecilia Ceccarelli Federico Cabitza Giancarlo Ceccarelli Antonello Maruotti Massimo Ciccozzi Fabio Scarpa The Role of AI-Based Chatbots in Public Health Emergencies: A Narrative Review Future Internet artificial intelligence disease surveillance ChatGPT misinformation COVID-19 health communication |
| title | The Role of AI-Based Chatbots in Public Health Emergencies: A Narrative Review |
| title_full | The Role of AI-Based Chatbots in Public Health Emergencies: A Narrative Review |
| title_fullStr | The Role of AI-Based Chatbots in Public Health Emergencies: A Narrative Review |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Role of AI-Based Chatbots in Public Health Emergencies: A Narrative Review |
| title_short | The Role of AI-Based Chatbots in Public Health Emergencies: A Narrative Review |
| title_sort | role of ai based chatbots in public health emergencies a narrative review |
| topic | artificial intelligence disease surveillance ChatGPT misinformation COVID-19 health communication |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1999-5903/17/4/145 |
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