How digital technologies and AI contribute to achieving the health-related SDGs

Abstract

Enhancing global health stands as a pivotal objective within the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In the wake of the ongoing digital transformation across various spheres of life, the incorporation of new digital technologies and the utilization of artificial intelligence hold the potential to contribute significantly to the attainment of these objectives. Leveraging the scalability inherent in digital business models, coupled with the widespread adoption of smartphones, facilitates the broad dissemination of digital healthcare services, even within emerging and developing nations. This inquiry adopts a quantitative research methodology to examine the implications of this phenomenon. In 2023, a cohort of 103 experts within German-speaking countries participated in an online survey, offering their insights into the impact of digitalization on health-related sustainability goals. The survey encompassed an assessment of the influence of digital technologies and AI on 13 sub-goals within the health domain, as well as on six additional SDGs. The comprehensive evaluation revealed that all 19 sub-goals exhibit a discernible medium to high impact. The analysis underscores that domains such as education and early warning systems are particularly amenable to digital interventions. Conversely, endeavors targeting the reduction of tobacco consumption or drug abuse may benefit from complementary measures. Conclusively, this study not only presents a developmental perspective on modeling but also formulates ten actionable recommendations, elucidating potential avenues for advancing the integration of digital technologies and artificial intelligence to enhance health-related sustainability goals.