At the School of Dental Medicine and the Center for Integrative Global Oral Health (CIGOH), we are committed to leveraging the powerful intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and natural intelligence (NI) to foster a future where technology aligns with human values and promotes holistic health for both individuals and the planet. Rooted in the salutogenic vision of oral health, which focuses on factors that support human health and well-being rather than merely treating disease, we support the Prosocial AI initiative to ensure that AI becomes a force for social good and planetary health.

The Vision:  AI as a Social Determinant and Catalyst of Holistic Health

AI is reshaping healthcare and society at an unprecedented pace. At CIGOH, we believe AI’s true potential lies not just in automation or optimization but also in amplifying natural intelligence—the unique cognitive, emotional, and social capabilities of humans. By aligning AI with the salutogenic model—which emphasizes the creation of health through positive influences and sustainable practices—we aim to promote both individual well-being and environmental sustainability. This holistic approach ensures that AI supports the interdependence of people and the planet while prioritizing long-term health and ethical outcomes.

A key aspect of this vision is to ensure AI aligns with the salutogenic approach to oral health. As emphasized in the study on oral health’s role in well-being and quality of life, we recognize that oral health is intricately connected to overall physical, emotional, and social health. Through Prosocial AI, we aim to shift from disease-centric models of care to preventive, health-promoting strategies that enhance life quality.

The Definition: What is Prosocial AI?

Prosocial AI is the intentional design and deployment of artificial intelligence systems that prioritize the well-being of individuals and society. It aligns AI with values such as equity, justice, and sustainability, ensuring that technology serves as a positive force for human and planetary health.

Prosocial AI is tailored, trained, tested, and targeted to bring out the best in and for people and planet. It is configured to systematically enhance human capabilities, preserve personal agency, and promote holistic health—avoiding the replication of societal flaws or the pursuit of profit at the expense of well-being. It emphasizes using AI to bring out the best in natural intelligence, fostering a world where technology complements human creativity and ethical decision-making.

The Reason: The Case for a Salutogenic Logic to Underpin AI

At its core, Prosocial AI aims to ensure that technological advancements are aligned with human values and the salutogenic approach to health. As we transition into an era of AI-driven innovation, it is essential to move beyond reactive health solutions and toward proactive, health-promoting strategies. This is particularly important in oral health, where preventive care and lifestyle changes can significantly improve long-term health outcomes. AI systems designed with a salutogenic vision in mind can encourage preventive behaviors, support patient education, and foster environments that promote holistic health across cognitive, emotional, and social dimensions.

 Key Areas of Focus for Prosocial AI

  • Aligning Aspirations and Actions: Prosocial AI embeds ethical principles such as equity, justice, and sustainability into its systems to ensure that both online and offline actions promote collective well-being. This includes aligning AI-driven healthcare systems with salutogenic principles that promote positive health behaviors and well-being rather than merely treating disease.
  • Preserving Personal Agency: The Agency Amid AI for All approach at CIGOH emphasizes the importance of using AI to enhance, rather than replace, human decision-making. We advocate for a balanced relationship between AI and human agency, ensuring individuals retain control over their health decisions, including those related to preventive oral care, lifestyle choices, and broader well-being.
  • Promoting Holistic Health: Prosocial AI recognizes that health is multidimensional. Traditional health models often focus on physical illness, neglecting the interplay of cognitive, emotional, and environmental factors. By reframing AI as a social determinant of health, particularly in oral health, Prosocial AI can revolutionize preventive care, empower patients, and encourage long-term well-being. This approach aligns with the salutogenic model by supporting a shift from treatment to prevention, emphasizing well-being rather than disease management.

The Approach: Double Literacy for Double Alignment

To fully harness AI as a catalyst for holistic health, Prosocial AI emphasizes the concept of double literacy—a comprehensive understanding of both natural intelligence (NI) and artificial intelligence (AI). This dual literacy is crucial for empowering individuals to better understand and harness their natural intelligence in all its multidimensional facets—cognitive, emotional, social, and physical. By fostering this understanding, individuals can make more informed decisions about their (oral) health and overall well-being. At CIGOH, we are advancing educational initiatives that integrate AI ethics, psychology, and algorithmic literacy, ensuring that future generations engage critically with AI while enhancing their own natural intelligence. This empowerment will lead to a deeper, more proactive approach to health—encouraging individuals to view AI as a tool that supports their holistic well-being, including oral health, and promotes a healthier relationship between people and the planet.

The Call to Action: A Salutogenic Vision for the Future

As AI continues to evolve, its development must be actively shaped by the needs of both humans and the planet. We invite policymakers, businesses, healthcare professionals, educators, and individuals to collaborate with us in building AI systems that function ethically and effectively. Prosocial AI, grounded in the salutogenic vision, seeks to transform AI into a tool for promoting holistic health and social equity. Together, we can harness AI to not only improve individual lives but to support the well-being of our communities and the planet.

The Opportunity

To Read:

To Join:

Under the umbrella of Prosocial AI, three panels have been organized in September 2024 at the UNGA79 Science Summit.

To Reach out:

To learn more about Prosocial AI or to get involved, please contact:
Dr. Cornelia C. Walther  cwalther@upenn.edu or connect via LinkedIn