Social, Humanitarian, and Cultural Committee

Double Delegation

Topic Summary

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors by accelerating drug discovery, improving vaccine development, and enhancing diagnostic capabilities. AI algorithms can analyze massive datasets to identify drug targets, predict clinical trial outcomes, and optimize supply chains. This technology has the potential to reduce costs and timelines, making life-saving treatments more accessible. However, questions of equity persist: who benefits from these innovations, and are they distributed fairly across the globe?

Currently, access to essential medicines like antibiotics and vaccines remains deeply unequal. Low and middle income countries (LMICs) often experience shortages due to high prices, inadequate infrastructure, and intellectual property barriers. AI-driven efficiencies could help address these challenges, but without international cooperation, they risk reinforcing existing disparities by centralizing resources in wealthier nations. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted this issue through vaccine nationalism and uneven distribution of medical supplies, including surgical equipment.

Beyond drugs and equipment, equitable healthcare also involves education and addressing gender-specific needs. Women in many regions face barriers to menstrual health resources and education, impacting overall well-being and economic participation. AI-enabled telemedicine platforms and health education tools could bridge these gaps, but require investment in digital infrastructure and local adaptation.

The international community must consider frameworks for ethical AI use, fair pricing models, technology transfer, and capacity building in underserved regions. Key questions include: How can AI-driven drug development be leveraged to ensure equitable access? Should intellectual property laws be restructured during health crises? How can education and gender health equity be integrated into global health strategies?

This issue challenges delegates to balance technological innovation with fairness, ensuring that AI-driven healthcare advances benefit all populations rather than widening global health divides.