Hosted by Public Health Ontario
Are you curious about emerging AI tools for evidence synthesis and how they might fit into public health practice? Amid growing interest and considerable hype, questions remain about how reliable these tools are and whether they are ready for real-world use. This PHO Rounds provides an overview of the evolving landscape of AI tools designed to support evidence synthesis, with a focus on where they can add value and where important limitations remain. We will highlight promising, lower-risk use cases alongside key methodological challenges related to validity, reproducibility, and evaluation. The session also considers these tools through a public health lens, including implications for equity, bias, environmental impact, and high-stakes decision-making. Participants will leave with a clearer understanding of how to approach these tools cautiously and thoughtfully in their own practice.
Speakers
Allison McArthur, MISt is the Knowledge Synthesis Librarian and W.P. Scott Chair in Librarianship at York University. From 2011 to June 2026, she was a Library Information Specialist at Public Health Ontario (PHO) where she supported PHO scientists in conducting all types of synthesis research, and she has been involved in many systematic reviews as a co-author and contributor. She has completed Comprehensive Systematic Review Training Certification from the Joanna Briggs Institute, and has delivered review methods consultation and instruction to students, librarians, and researchers across Ontario.
Oriane Edwards, MI is a recent graduate of the Master of Information program at the University of Toronto. During a placement at Public Health Ontario, she co-developed a guide on using AI tools for evidence synthesis. She also holds an MA in Interdisciplinary Graduate Studies from the University of British Columbia (Okanagan) and an Honours BA from the University of Toronto. Oriane is a library intern at the University of Toronto’s Dental Library. Her interests include evidence synthesis, open access publishing, and AI in the health sciences. She was the 2025 OCULA Council Lightning Strikes representative.