Mind the (widening) gap: why public health must engage with AI now

Without deliberate engagement, AI risks reinforcing existing inequities. Practical steps for action include embedding AI training in public health education, building multidisciplinary teams, investing in data infrastructure, and ensuring participatory approaches. AI will continue to shape public health systems, whether or not public health professionals engage. We argue that the public health community is both uniquely positioned and ethically obligated to engage proactively with AI.