# The Role of AI-Based Chatbots in Public Health Emergencies: A Narrative Review
## 8 Conclusions  
AI-based chatbots have emerged as valuable tools in managing public health emergencies, particularly during infectious disease outbreaks. Their ability to provide immediate and reliable responses enhances communication between health authorities and the public, reducing anxiety and confusion while facilitating the timely dissemination of essential health information. However, the integration of these technologies into public health infrastructures presents several challenges that require careful consideration.  
A primary concern is ensuring the accuracy and reliability of the information provided by chatbots. The rapid evolution of health crises demands real-time data integration, robust misinformation detection, and collaboration with health authorities to prevent the dissemination of outdated or false information. Ethical and accountability issues further complicate deployment, as misinformation during epidemics can have severe consequences. Addressing these challenges necessitates technical transparency, safety measures, and the establishment of ethical guidelines, user education, and clear accountability frameworks.  
Privacy and data security risks also represent significant obstacles. AI chatbots handling sensitive health information must comply with stringent data protection laws, such as GDPR, and implement robust technical safeguards to maintain user trust. Transparency regarding data usage and user education on privacy measures are critical components in fostering public confidence in these systems.  
Another key challenge is ensuring accessibility for linguistically and culturally diverse populations. Chatbots must be equipped with expanded language support, improved cultural competence, and enhanced NLP capabilities. Socio-technical strategies, such as community engagement and digital literacy programs, can help bridge communication gaps and mitigate health disparities. Incorporating emotion recognition, fostering human-AI collaboration, and promoting user education will contribute to making these tools more inclusive and effective.  
The successful deployment of AI chatbots in public health settings requires a balanced approach that integrates both technical and socio-technical factors. Cost-effectiveness, scalability, and integration with existing healthcare systems are essential, alongside active stakeholder engagement and resource allocation. Evaluating long-term impact, effectiveness, and adaptability will shape the future role of AI in healthcare.  
Looking forward, the potential of AI chatbots in public health remains significant. However, realizing this potential demands continuous research, human oversight, and a commitment to ethical and responsible AI deployment. By fostering collaboration between artificial intelligence experts, public health professionals, legislators, and local communities, we can develop AI systems that are not only effective and scalable but also equitable and trustworthy. The future of AI chatbots in healthcare will be determined by our ability to navigate these challenges, ensuring that these technologies contribute meaningfully to resilient and adaptive public health systems.  
Conceptualization, F.B.; supervision, M.C.; validation, M.C.; writing--original draft preparation, F.B., M.S., C.C., F.C., G.C., A.M., M.C. and F.S.; writing--review and editing, F.B., M.S., C.C., F.C., G.C., A.M., M.C. and F.S. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.  
This work has been partially funded by The SMILE Project: \"Statistical Modeling and Inference to Live the Environment\", PRIN2023 grant number 2022 XRHT8R.  
The authors declare no conflicts of interest.