INTRODUCTION:
Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to transform public health systems, service delivery and livelihood support across east africa. For displaced populations and vulnerable youth, however, the value of AI depends on solutions that are inclusive, human-centered and accountable. This study draws on operational evidence from multi-country humanitarian and development programmes implemented by African Initiatives for Relief and Development (AIRD).

METHODS:
Program evidence was reviewed from refugee and host-community interventions in youth livelihoods, WASH, shelter, and accountability systems across east and central africa. The analysis focused on the application of AI-enabled beneficiary management systems, remote monitoring and evaluation platforms, skills-matching algorithms, and climate-informed alert systems.

RESULTS:
Digital and AI-supported systems improved service targeting, enhanced decision-making, strengthened monitoring efficiency, and supported youth employability and enterprise development in fragile settings. Key risks were also identified, including data protection challenges, algorithmic bias, low digital literacy, gender and disability-related exclusion, and weak governance structures in humanitarian operations.

CONCLUSIONS:
Responsible AI adoption requires rights-based design, strong data governance, transparent algorithms, gender-responsive approaches, and capacity strengthening for local actors, particularly refugee-led organizations (RLOs). A practical framework for safe, equitable and human-centered AI in public health–linked humanitarian programming is proposed to advance public health equity, youth livelihoods and resilience in east africa.