The Public Health A.I Lab Master Class

Course Description

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming public health practice, with tools like ChatGPT enabling faster analysis, research, and communication. However, many professionals are already using these tools without adequate guidance, raising concerns about accuracy, bias, and data privacy. Given the high-stakes nature of public health decisions, misuse of AI can lead to misinformation and poor outcomes. At the same time, AI offers significant potential to enhance efficiency and decision-making when used correctly. There is, therefore, a clear need for practical training that emphasises responsible, ethical, and critical use of AI. This masterclass addresses this gap through a hands-on, AI Lab approach.

Course Objective

To build capacity among public health professionals to use artificial intelligence tools responsibly, ethically, and effectively in real-world public health practice.

“Limited slots available”.

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of this AI Lab masterclass, participants will be able to:

  1. Explain the basic principles of AI and large language models and their relevance to public health practice.
  2. Identify appropriate AI tools for public health practice
  3. Master caveats of AI use in public health
  4. Design effective prompts to obtain accurate, relevant, and context-specific outputs for public health applications.
  5. Critically evaluate AI-generated outputs for accuracy, bias, and reliability using public health reasoning, including a human-in-the-loop approach, ensuring appropriate interpretation and validation of AI-assisted outputs.
  6. Use AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Notebook LLM, Copilot, Gemini) to perform practical public health tasks, including scientific writing, literature search, data analysis support, and report generation.
  7. Apply ethical principles in AI use, including data privacy, confidentiality, and responsible disclosure.

Training Approach

This masterclass adopts a hands-on “AI Lab” approach, emphasising experiential learning through practical exercises, real-world scenarios, and guided application of AI tools. Sessions are highly interactive, with over 60% of the time dedicated to applied learning, peer discussion, and critical evaluation of AI-generated outputs.

Assessment and Certification:

Participants will be assessed through pre- and post-tests and participation in practical exercises and activities. A certificate of completion will be awarded to participants who attend all sessions and actively engage in the AI Lab activities.

Participant Requirements:

  • Laptop (mandatory)
  • Reliable internet access
  • Basic familiarity with public health concepts
  • Optional: prior exposure to AI tools

DURATION

  • 2 Days
    22ND and 23RD May, 2026

VENUE

CIU premises

TUITION

  • UGX 120,000/=

MODE OF DELIVERY

Physical

TARGET GROUP

  1. Public Health students (BPH, MPH, PhD)
  2. Public health professionals
  3. Epidemiologists
  4. Researchers

Facilitator's Profile

Dr Allan Komakech is a field epidemiologist, public health specialist, and medical doctor with national and international experience in public health. He holds a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery and a Master of Science in Public Health degree. He is a graduate(class of 2023) of the prestigious Uganda Field Epidemiology Training Program (Uganda FETP) hosted at the Ministry of Health.

Dr Komakech is currently a lecturer at Clarke International University and previously worked at organisations such as the Infectious Diseases Institute (Makerere University) and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC). He serves as a consultant with several agencies at both the national and international levels, including the Taskforce for Global Health and the 7-1-7 Alliance. He has conducted research and has experience in several infectious diseases projects, including Mpox, malaria, cholera, measles, yellow fever, meningitis, Ebola, Marburg, and floods, at both national and international levels.

Dr Komakech has a strong interest and growing expertise in the application of AI in Public Health. with a particular focus on Generative AI.

Dr Komakech is a presenter at national and international conferences. He has published in reputable peer-reviewed journals, specifically on infectious diseases. He is also fluent in two international languages, notably English and French.