Ann Aerts

Ann Aerts is Head of the Novartis Foundation, an organization committed to transform the health of low-income populations, by leveraging the power of data, digital technology and artificial intelligence (AI) to reimagine health and care around the world. Ann holds a Degree in Medicine, a Masters in Public Health from the University of Leuven, Belgium, and a Degree in Tropical Medicine from the Institute of Tropical Medicine in Antwerp, Belgium. Passionate about improving population health through data, digital and AI, Ann applies her relentless commitment to overcoming health inequities to pioneer solutions that can advance health and care globally. Ann chairs the Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development Working Group on Digital and AI in Health and is a member the Board of the Philips Foundation, and of the Institute of Tropical Medicine in Antwerp, Belgium. Ann served as a member of the US National Academies of Science Engineering and Medicine Committee on Improving the Quality of Health Care Globally and on the US National Academies of Medicine Commission on Healthy Longevity. Ann has authored numerous publications on innovative approaches and multisector partnerships to address global health challenges, on neglected tropical diseases and on digital health. She was named one of the top 50 innovators in 2020 by the World Summit AI community.