About the initiative
GUIDE-AI is a DFG-funded project to establish a research consortium to jointly develop guidance for responsible and equitable Artificial Intelligence (AI) use in Public Health, which started in June 2026. It brings together interdisciplinary researchers and policy experts from Germany, Italy, France, Turkey, and Canada to focus on normative frameworks, stakeholder inclusion, and policy alignment across the Atlantic. Consequently, GUIDE-AI seeks to formalise established loose collaborations among institutions and organisations involved in the European Public Health Association’s Digital Health & AI section.
Core objectives
The main objective of this initiative is to establish a structured international consortium that brings together experts from academic networks, professional societies, and leading research institutions to jointly develop proposals for impactful research projects. By involving these multidisciplinary and multinational experts for DiPH and AI, the collaboration can offer a strong foundation to bridge disciplinary and sectoral boundaries and promote sustainable, policy-relevant research outcomes. The preparatory activities, as part of GUIDE-AI, are intended to define this joint research agenda and should strengthen mutual trust and clarify resource needs and institutional support across the participating organisations.
Involved researchers and institutions
Dr Laura Maaß: University of Bremen, SOCIUM Research Center on Inequality and Social Policy, Bremen, Germany
PD Dr Sarah Forberger: Leibniz Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology – BIPS GmbH, Bremen, Germany
Prof Dr Hajo Zeeb: Leibniz Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology – BIPS GmbH, Bremen, Germany
Dr Felix Holl: Neu-Ulm University of Applied Sciences, Institute DigiHealth, Neu-Ulm, Germany
Prof Dr Anke Reinschlüssel: University of Bayreuth, Bayreuth, Germany
Prof Dr Simon Bacon Concordia: University and Montreal Behavioural Medicine Centre, Montreal, Canada
Dr Patrice Ngangue: University and Montreal Behavioural Medicine Centre, Montreal, Canada
Laurence Paquet: University and Montreal Behavioural Medicine Centre, Montreal, Canada
Dr Francesco Baglivo: University of Pisa, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, Pisa, Italy
Dr Mario Bruschi: Community Health Center Unit Florence, Department of Community Healthcare Network, Florence, Italy
Dr Luigi De Angelis: University of Pisa, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, Pisa, Italy
Dr Nicolò Scarsi: Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Section of Hygiene, Rome, Italy
Ass Prof Dr Nolwenn Le Meur: School of Advanced Studies in Public Health (EHESP), Université de Rennes, Rennes, France
Prof Dr Myriam Maumy: School of Advanced Studies in Public Health (EHESP), Department for Quantitative Methods in Public Health, Paris, France
Dr Şükran Peker: Tekirdag Malkara District Health Directorate, Ministry of Health, Republic of Turkey
Expected outcomes of future projects by the GUIDE-AI consortium
Project applications that will be developed as part of GUIDE-AI will target the following:
1. Stakeholder Mapping
Identification of relevant actors involved in the development, governance, implementation, and use of AI tools in Public Health and Healthcare across Europe and North America.
Methods:
Scoping review of AI tools used in Public Health research and practice.
Delphi study to identify and prioritize key application areas.
2. Policy Analysis
Comparative examination of national and international policies shaping AI deployment in Public Health and Healthcare.
Methods:
Comparative policy analysis across Europe and North America.
Delphi process to develop core elements for transnational AI guidance.
3. Knowledge Transfer & Stakeholder Engagement
Exploration of how research findings and policy developments are communicated and translated into practice.
Methods:
Expert interviews and focus groups on dissemination strategies.
Participatory and dynamic communication approaches.
Timeline of GUIDE-AI
06/2026: Kick-off project phase I in Bremen, Germany
07/2026: Networking workshop I in Montréal, Canada
08/2026: Scoping workshop II, online
09/2026: Networking Workshop II in Pisa, Italy
10/2026: Scoping workshop II, online
11/2026: Writing retreat in Bremen, Germany
04/2027: Application submission for future research projects
Get involved
AI governance in Public Health requires coordinated, evidence-based, and socially grounded approaches. GUIDE-AI offers a platform for collaborative agenda-setting, comparative policy reflection, and structured knowledge exchange between science and policy actors. Therefore, we invite institutional partners, researchers, and policy makers to contribute expertise, participate in structured dialogues, and co-shape transatlantic AI governance in Public Health.
Contact
Dr Laura Maaß
University of Bremen – SOCIUM Research Center on Inequality and Social Policy
Leibniz ScienceCampus Digital Public Health
Bremen, Germany
