Beyond the Prompt: Ethical AI Applications in Health Educator Training

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming the way health educators teach, train, and prepare future professionals. When used thoughtfully, AI can provide learners with realistic practice opportunities that strengthen communication skills, cultural responsiveness, professional preparation, and confidence in addressing complex public health conversations. However, the integration of AI into education also raises important ethical considerations related to accuracy, bias, transparency, environmental sustainability, and professional competency development.

Drawing from prior experiences as Chair of the Health Sciences Program at the University of Alaska Anchorage, this webinar will explore practical and ethical applications of AI in health educator training. Participants will learn how AI-powered simulations and role-playing activities can be used to prepare students for motivational interviewing, professional interactions, and communication with diverse populations, including wide variety of age ranges, vaccine-hesitant individuals, and people with varying health literacy levels. The session will also examine strategies for ensuring AI enhances rather than replaces critical thinking, empathy, and evidence-based health education practice.

Participants should leave this webinar being able to: 

1. Describe ethical considerations associated with the use of artificial intelligence in health educator training.

2. Identify AI-enhanced instructional strategies that support the development of communication and professional preparation skills among health education students and practitioners.

3. Evaluate the opportunities and limitations of AI-generated simulations for supporting professional preparation and workforce readiness among future health educators.

Competencies that will be covered include: 

7.1.2 Identify the assets, needs, values, and characteristics of the audience(s) that affect communication and message design (e.g., literacy levels, culture, cognitive and perceptual abilities).  

7.3.3 Tailor message(s) for the audience(s) (e.g., culturally appropriate, accessible).

9.1 Practice in accordance with established ethical principles.

Sponsored by the Society for Public Health Education (SOPHE), a designated provider of continuing education contact hours (CECH) in health education by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc. This program is designated for Certified Health Education Specialists (CHES®) and/or Master Certified Health Education Specialists (MCHES®) to receive up to 1.0 total Category I contact education contact hours. Maximum advanced-level continuing education contact hours available for this session is 0. Provider ID #98029 and Activity ID 0126020DL.