Peking University, October 15, 2025: Peking University Institute for Global Health and Development(IGHD) hosted the special session “Can AI Offer Solutions to Planetary Health?” on October 12, 2025 at the World Health Summit in Berlin, Germany. Attended by renowned multidisciplinary experts from all regions globally, the session marked global launch of the groundbreaking Planetary Health Axis System, PHAS. 

What is PHAS?

In October 2023, Peking University IGHD constructed a Planetary Health Axis System, or PHAS, an AI-driven large dynamic global digital system aiming to track human civilization footprints in relation to the well identified Planetary Boundaries. PHAS builds on four major axes—human health, species health, environment health and societal health—which are quantified by over 48000 key variables across the planet. Conceived as a“digital compass,” this system aims to steer us through planetary health challenges of our time.

Panels on PHAS Global Launch

Ilona Kickbusch, Professor at Global Health Centre at the Graduate Institute in Geneva, and Bernhard Schwartländer, Distinguished Research Professor of Global Health at IGHD, former WHO Assistant Director-General – moderated the discussions with panelists and the experts in the audience. In their introduction they underscored the “innovative alliance between traditional scientists and AI researchers,” driving the need to explain, test and manage large-model systems like PHAS. Dr. John Amuasi, Dr. Liu Haiguang, Prof. Gordon Liu, Prof. Dame Sally Davies, Dr. Susan Thomas, Dr. Tobias Schuster, and Sir. Andrew Haines joined the discussions.

Professor Ilona Kickbusch and Professor Bernhard Schwartländer moderating the event

There was a strong interest and constructive engagement of the experts in the session. Global experts concurred that the COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the complexity of global health, highlighting the urgent need for integrated solutions. They emphasized that the "One Health" approach aligns closely with the PHAS framework, which comprehensively integrates social, human, species, and environmental health. While leveraging AI's potential, participants stressed that human oversight, information verification, and system transparency are fundamental to building public and policy trust, with strong warnings issued about mitigating risks associated with AI "hallucinations" through rigorous evaluation. The PHAS project was presented as a dynamic tool for tracking personal and planetary health risks, designed to inform decision-making on macro challenges like economic growth and equity. To ensure its effective adoption, experts recommended demonstrating PHAS's value through policy-relevant use cases. Discussions also highlighted the critical importance of data governance, privacy, and equitable access for low-income nations. Ultimately, the success of PHAS hinges on fostering a global collaborative network that prioritizes responsible innovation, local capacity building, and continuous verification.

Wrapping up the conference, Sir Jeremy Farrar, Chief Scientist at the World Health Organization, called for immediate action as we stand at a turning point in history, highlighting the purpose of science to promote justice, not exacerbate inequality. While AI technology can help to discover research gaps, their limitations must be clearly recognized, so that we can leverage this technology for the betterment of practical problems in everyday life, a message that strongly resonates as we grapple with the proliferation of disruptive technology. 

Sir Jeremy Farrar delivering closing remarks

The successful convening of this launch event fully demonstrates Peking University's enduring influence in the fields of global health and sustainable development. Moving forward, the Institute of Global Health and Development at Peking University will continue to deepen international collaboration and practical application of PHAS. By partnering with world-leading research institutions, international organizations, and policy research centers, the institute will expand innovative scenarios and governance pathways for AI-powered planetary health. These efforts will contribute to building a global community of shared future and support global governance, planetary health, and sustainable human development.

Written by: Lee Jie Xin

Edited by: Chen Shizhuo

Source: PKU News

https://newsen.pku.edu.cn/news_events/news/focus/15253.html