AI-driven health misinformation in Somalia’s digital era: A neglected crisis demanding global action

The rapid expansion of artificial intelligence (AI) and generative technologies is transforming global health communication, but it is also accelerating the spread of health misinformation, particularly in fragile and low-resource settings. Somalia, characterized by limited digital health literacy, weak regulatory frameworks, and increasing reliance on social media for health information, represents a highly vulnerable context for AI-driven infodemics. This Letter to the Editor examines the emerging threat of AI-generated health misinformation in Somalia’s digital landscape, highlighting its potential to undermine public trust, distort health behaviours, and weaken epidemic preparedness. It also explores the dual role of AI as both a risk amplifier and a potential solution, particularly through automated misinformation detection, digital health education, and multilingual information dissemination. Evidence suggests that generative AI tools can produce highly persuasive false health content at scale, making it difficult for users to distinguish between credible and misleading information. In Somalia, where institutional fact-checking mechanisms and digital governance structures remain underdeveloped, these risks are further intensified. The letter argues for urgent multisectoral action involving policymakers, healthcare institutions, academic bodies, and technology platforms to strengthen digital health literacy, establish AI governance frameworks, and enhance real-time misinformation surveillance. Addressing these challenges is essential to safeguarding public health, strengthening health system resilience, and ensuring equitable access to accurate health information in the digital era.