ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND THE FUTURE OF HEALTH HUMANITIES EDUCATION IN AFRICA
Abstract
This study examines the emerging role of artificial intelligence (AI) in shaping the future of health humanities education in Africa. Artificial intelligence has become a transformative force across various sectors, including healthcare, education, and information management. Within health humanities education, AI technologies are increasingly influencing teaching, learning, research, clinical communication, and healthcare ethics. Health humanities integrates disciplines such as literature, philosophy, history, ethics, communication, and cultural studies into healthcare education to promote empathy, critical thinking, and patient-centred care. In Africa, the adoption of AI in educational and healthcare systems presents both opportunities and challenges for the development of health humanities education. This study explores how AI can enhance curriculum delivery, digital learning, interdisciplinary collaboration, research productivity, and healthcare communication in African institutions. It also examines ethical concerns relating to digital inequality, algorithmic bias, academic integrity, and limited technological infrastructure. A qualitative and conceptual research approach is adopted through the review of relevant scholarly literature and policy documents. Findings indicate that AI technologies such as intelligent tutoring systems, virtual simulations, natural language processing tools, and generative AI platforms can improve teaching effectiveness, student engagement, and access to educational resources in health humanities programmes. However, infrastructural limitations, inadequate digital literacy, and ethical concerns may hinder sustainable AI integration within African educational systems. The study recommends increased investment in digital infrastructure, AI literacy training, ethical policy frameworks, and interdisciplinary collaboration to ensure responsible and inclusive adoption of AI in health humanities education across Africa.
