Seven ways AI is making global healthcare more inclusive 

When we think about AI in healthcare, the conversation often centres on efficiency, cost savings, or automation. But there’s another story, one that deserves more attention: the story of inclusion. 

AI, when used thoughtfully, is helping bridge language, cultural, and resource gaps that have long stood between people and the care they need. From small clinics in remote regions to global healthcare conferences, artificial intelligence is quietly unlocking access, one language, one voice, one diagnosis at a time. 

Here are seven ways AI is making healthcare more inclusive, especially for underserved populations. 

1. Real-time translation in hospitals and clinics 

Imagine being in pain and not speaking the same language as your doctor. For millions around the world, that’s a daily reality. But AI is changing that. 

More hospitals and clinics now use real-time AI translation tools, from handheld devices to telemedicine platforms, to  break down language barriers. These tools translate spoken or written communication instantly, allowing patients and providers to understand each other without delay. 

In U.S. and U.K. hospitals, tools powered by AI translation have been deployed to help migrant and refugee patients receive care faster and more safely. Even if the quality of these translations leaves room for improvement, they represent a significant step forward for individuals with limited means. By removing language barriers, these tools give underserved populations a chance to access vital healthcare that would otherwise be out of reach. In this context, the priority isn’t flawless output, but inclusion and access. 

2. Health apps in rare and regional languages 

Multilingual access used to be limited to major languages. But AI is flipping that script. 

Apps like Ada Health, an AI-powered symptom checker, now operate in a wide range of languages, including Swahili, Romanian, Portuguese, and more. By adapting to local linguistic needs, these tools empower people to seek help in the language they understand best, especially for sensitive topics. 

This is critical in rural or low-resource areas, where digital access may be the only connection to care. 

3. More inclusive healthcare events 

Global medical events, conferences, and webinars are no longer just for native English speakers. Thanks to AI-powered transcription and interpretation tools, professionals from all over the world can now listen, learn, and contribute in their own language, in real time. 

This means that knowledge-sharing in healthcare is becoming truly global, with more diverse voices represented. 

4. Confidential care through multilingual chatbots 

In India, a nonprofit called Myna Mahila uses an AI chatbot to support women seeking information about sexual and reproductive health, often in regions where such topics are taboo. 

The chatbot responds in local languages, offering a judgment-free, accessible experience to users who may not feel comfortable speaking to someone face-to-face. 

5. Serving low-resource languages with scalable tools 

Many underserved communities speak languages that have been historically overlooked in global tech. Projects like India’s Bhashini and Switzerland’s MedSLT are changing that. 

These AI-driven tools provide voice, text, and medical dialogue translation in dozens of languages, including dialects that had no digital presence just a few years ago. 

In countries like Kenya, Indonesia, or Guatemala, similar tools are being tested to support mobile health workers and public health initiatives. 

6. Mental health support, powered by AI 

In 2025, Dartmouth College led one of the first major trials testing AI-powered therapy chatbots in real-world public health. The results? Remarkable. 

Their tool, called Therabot, delivered clinically significant improvements in users with depression, anxiety, and eating disorders: 

• 51% symptom reduction for major depressive disorder 

• 31% reduction in generalized anxiety 

• 19% improvement in body image concerns 

Participants built real trust with the chatbot, reporting experiences that mirrored those of in-person therapy. With over six hours of engagement per user on average, the chatbot became a meaningful emotional support tool, available anytime, anywhere. 

“I didn’t feel judged. I just felt heard, and that helped,” one user shared. 

While AI is not meant to replace human psychologists, particularly in complex cases or during crises, it can provide meaningful support for people who can’t access therapy due to financial reasons or discomfort with speaking to a stranger. In this sense, AI contributes to making mental health care more accessible and helps break the stigma around emotional vulnerability. 

7. Speech and text access for people with impairments  

AI-powered voice-to-text and text-to-speech tools are helping people with low literacy, vision impairments, or cognitive challenges interact with healthcare systems more confidently. 

Apps like Microsoft Seeing AI or Google’s Live Transcribe allow: 

• Patients to hear written instructions or medication names 

• Health workers to transcribe spoken conversations into readable content 

• Forms and documents to be understood, even without reading 

This is especially powerful for elderly patients, refugees, or those in rural areas, where reading levels or disabilities often create hidden barriers to care. 

Inclusion by design, not by chance 

AI, when designed with ethics and empathy, is more than a productivity tool, it’s a bridge. 

It connects patients and providers across linguistic, cultural, and technological gaps. It helps make healthcare accessible, understandable, and human, no matter where you are or what language you speak. 

At Novalins, we believe in using AI to elevate care, not cut corners. We partner with clients to explore responsible tools that combine the power of automation with the care of human experts, in translation, communication, and beyond. 

Because the future of healthcare should speak everyone’s language.