Gillings School leads inaugural ‘Datathon’ to explore new ways AI can generate public health solutions
Publish Date: 2026-03-19 12:34:00
Source Domain: sph.unc.edu
March 19, 2026
The 2026 CAIPH Showcase and Datathon welcome sign.
This month, the Center for Artificial Intelligence and Public Health (CAIPH) at the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health led its first ever AI and Public Health Showcase and Datathon. This three-day event united industry experts, academic researchers, students and local community members through a single challenge: transforming sets of public health data into potential areas of research and innovation using artificial intelligence (AI) to accelerate future health solutions.
The event was a demonstration of what AI can provide, according to CAIPH director Michael Kosorok, PhD, W.R. Kenan, Jr. Distinguished Professor of biostatistics. “With AI, you can ask analysis questions and learn about data in very flexible – almost limitless ways. We’re collaborating with people across industry and other spaces to make sure AI is used well to improve health.”
“We’re not just talking about AI,” said Nancy Messonnier, MD, dean and Bryson Distinguished Professor at the Gillings School. “We’re using it to improve lives in our communities. The datathon reflects enthusiasm of our folks to roll up their sleeves and really see how this technology can be used.”
Amir Rubin gives remarks during the CAIPH Showcase.
Held at the Gillings School campus at UNC-Chapel Hill, the first day of the event featured a showcase of insights and presentations from industry leaders like Chuck Robbins, CEO of Cisco Systems, Amir Rubin, CEO and founding managing partner of Healthier Capital, and Karen Libby, value and transformation lead at Amazon Web Services, who each spoke about the promise that AI holds to improve the public good in collaboration with experts who can approach its use in thoughtful and responsible ways.
“This is a defining moment for global public health, and it’s incredibly exciting to see Carolina leading the way,” Robbins said in his opening remarks. “I’m so encouraged to see…
