Community Health Workers

Some CHW tasks are seeing digital help. For example, one U.S. program gave CHWs an online database with automated alerts for client follow-up, helping them keep better records ^[1]. Other projects use health chatbots: a Gates Foundation pilot in India used an AI (ChatGPT-based) app to answer women’s health questions ^[2].

But most studies find AI in community health has focused on data analysis (like spotting disease trends), not on the full range of CHW outreach and education ^[1]. Day-to-day activities such as handing out flyers or hosting community meetings still rely on personal contact. Researchers note that CHWs succeed by building trust in their communities – a human quality that machines can’t easily copy ^[3].

Whether AI spreads quickly will vary. Many CHWs work in low-resource settings, where basics like reliable power and internet can be missing ^[4]. Budgets are often tight and CHWs may be low-paid or volunteers, so buying new tech isn’t always cheaper.

On the other hand, severe staff shortages (with CHWs “doing more with less” ^[4]) can push programs to try new tools. Social and ethical factors also matter: people may hesitate to share private health details with a chatbot, so pilots build in safety and privacy protections ^[2]. Above all, CHWs’ strength is their personal connection – studies stress that lasting trust is built face-to-face ^[3].

In well-funded, connected settings, AI tools may help CHWs soon, but in many communities human CHWs will remain essential for the foreseeable future.