This significant session, an integral part of the "BIREME 2026: New Releases and Updates" program, is scheduled for Thursday, August 6, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. (Brasilia time, UTC-3), and is proudly hosted by BIREME/PAHO/WHO. The primary objective of this webinar is to unveil and thoroughly discuss groundbreaking initiatives that have been meticulously developed by BIREME. These initiatives are designed to fundamentally transform and significantly enhance the accessibility, systematic organization, rigorous analysis, and effective utilization of scientific health information. A central and unwavering focus of this session will be on the sophisticated applications of artificial intelligence and advanced data analysis tools. These technologies are strategically engineered not only to improve but also to profoundly strengthen knowledge management practices within the global health sector. Attendees will be provided with invaluable insights into the innovative ways these cutting-edge technologies are being harnessed. This includes streamlining complex information processes, dramatically improving the ease and speed of data accessibility, and extracting deeper, more actionable insights from the vast and ever-growing repositories of health-related scientific literature. The event distinctly underscores BIREME's unwavering commitment to fostering innovation and seamlessly integrating advanced technological solutions. This dedication is aimed at robustly supporting public health efforts across the entire Region of the Americas, thereby ensuring that vital scientific information is not merely accessible, but also intelligently processed, effectively managed, and strategically applied for maximum impact in critical decision-making processes and pioneering research endeavors.
Target audience
This webinar is meticulously structured to cater to a broad and diverse array of professionals and institutions deeply immersed in the intricate processes of scientific and technical health information. The intended audience includes, but is not exclusively limited to, managers and technical staff who play crucial roles within ministries of health, as well as those from various partner institutions. These individuals are instrumental in the formulation and execution of health policies and in overseeing operational workflows. Coordinators and focal points of vital information networks, such as the Virtual Health Library (VHL) and LILACS Networks, are specifically encouraged to attend, as the content offers valuable strategies for enhancing their network's functional capabilities and outreach. Librarians and information professionals, who stand at the forefront of organizing, curating, and disseminating knowledge, will find the discussions particularly pertinent to their daily practices. Researchers, academic faculty members, and students, all of whom heavily rely on robust and efficient information management systems for their scholarly and scientific pursuits, are also key beneficiaries. Furthermore, scientific editors and editorial teams are expected to gain significant insights into advanced methods for information organization, retrieval, and dissemination. Crucially, the session extends a warm invitation to any individual possessing a strong interest in the foundational principles of open science, the transformative potential of artificial intelligence in revolutionizing data handling, and the overarching strategic approaches to effective knowledge management within the rapidly evolving landscape of public health. This inclusive approach to the target audience is designed to foster a rich and dynamic exchange of diverse perspectives, ultimately facilitating the broader adoption and implementation of the innovative solutions and practices presented.
How to participate
Participation in this critically important event has been made straightforward and highly accessible for all prospective attendees. The webinar is firmly scheduled to take place on Thursday, August 6, 2026. The proceedings will commence promptly at 11:00 a.m., operating on Brasilia time, which is globally recognized as UTC-3. It is important to note that the primary language for all presentations and discussions during the session will be Portuguese. This language choice ensures optimal clarity and facilitates deep, nuanced engagement for the extensive Lusophone scientific and professional communities. All individuals keen on attending this event are required to complete an advance registration process to secure their virtual presence. The registration mechanism is efficiently managed through a dedicated online portal. Interested participants are strongly advised to finalize their registration early to ensure they receive all necessary access credentials, technical instructions, and timely updates pertaining to the event. This proactive approach will help ensure a seamless experience for attendees of what promises to be an exceptionally valuable forum for professional learning and significant development in the cutting-edge fields of health information management and artificial intelligence applications.
Agenda
The webinar's agenda is thoughtfully constructed to provide a comprehensive and in-depth exploration of the emerging frontiers in information management, artificial intelligence, and sophisticated data analysis specifically tailored for the health sector. The session will officially begin with an **Institutional Opening**, featuring distinguished figures from the leadership of BIREME/PAHO/WHO. Silvia de Valentin, the esteemed Manager of Administration, and João Paulo Souza, the Director of BIREME/PAHO/WHO, will deliver introductory remarks, setting the vital context and articulating the strategic importance of the innovative initiatives that are slated for presentation. Following this foundational segment, Francisco Barbosa Junior, a Biomedical Informatician who is a key member of BIREME’s Emerging Solutions and Technologies Development team, will present a detailed and insightful overview titled "**Artificial intelligence applied to knowledge organization at BIREME**." This pivotal segment will meticulously examine how BIREME is pioneering the integration and application of AI across its various information products and services, highlighting innovative solutions that are significantly enhancing critical processes such as precise indexing, comprehensive document processing, metadata enrichment, and vastly improving the efficiency and accuracy of information retrieval. The next significant presentation will focus on an "**Interactive dashboard for analyzing scientific output in TCIM**," delivered collaboratively by Mirelys Puerta-Díaz, a skilled Librarian within BIREME’s Information Products and Services team, and Nancy Sánchez-Tarragó, an accomplished Associate Professor at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte. They will proudly unveil an interactive dashboard that has been meticulously developed by BIREME. This cutting-edge tool is specifically designed to offer robust support for the advanced analysis, dynamic visualization, and nuanced interpretation of global and regional scientific research outcomes, with a particular emphasis on the specialized domain of Traditional, Complementary, and Integrative Medicine (TCIM). The webinar will conclude with an open and engaging **Discussion and Q&A session**, which will provide all attendees with an invaluable opportunity to interact directly with the expert presenters, articulate their questions, and exchange valuable insights, thereby fostering a highly collaborative and enriching learning environment. It is important for participants to acknowledge that the program details are subject to potential modifications, reflecting the dynamic nature and evolving developments of such high-level events.
Context
This particular session is strategically positioned as an indispensable component of the broader “BIREME 2026: New Releases and Updates” program. This overarching program represents a foundational pillar within BIREME’s meticulously crafted institutional communication and technical cooperation strategy for the entire year 2026. The program is distinguished by its unwavering commitment to hosting regular, monthly sessions, each specifically and thoughtfully dedicated to exploring a particular thematic area of critical importance. These sessions function as vital, dynamic platforms for the systematic and extensive dissemination of BIREME’s latest and most innovative products, state-of-the-art services, pioneering technological innovations, and strategically relevant topics that are inherently crucial to both effective health information management and comprehensive knowledge management. By consistently organizing these regular forums, BIREME actively strives to cultivate a dynamic and interactive environment where leading specialists and esteemed invited guests can converge. Their collective primary objective is to present, elaborate upon, and thoroughly discuss strategic initiatives. In doing so, they aim to actively promote a robust and multifaceted exchange of diverse experiences and knowledge, alongside enthusiastically encouraging the widespread adoption and utilization of innovative technologies and sophisticated methodologies. Ultimately, the profound goal underpinning these efforts is to channel these significant advancements for the direct benefit and continuous enhancement of health systems across the entirety of the Region of the Americas, thereby reinforcing BIREME's established role as a leading authority and innovator in the critical domain of health information.
Materials and recording
For the utmost convenience of all participants and specifically to cater to those who may be unable to attend the live session, comprehensive and accessible resources will be made available shortly following the conclusion of the event. The complete recording of the session will be promptly published and easily accessible through BIREME’s official playlist on PAHO TV, a dedicated and widely recognized channel hosted on the YouTube platform. This immediate availability ensures broad access for individuals wishing to review the content at their convenience, asynchronously. Furthermore, to significantly enhance discoverability and ensure robust integration within established academic and professional databases, the recording will also be meticulously indexed within the Virtual Health Library (VHL) Repository. This strategic dual availability guarantees that the invaluable insights, detailed presentations, and critical discussions generated during the webinar can be effortlessly revisited, thoroughly studied, and effectively utilized by an expansive global audience comprising health professionals, diligent researchers, and dedicated students. This approach maximizes the educational and informational impact of the event, extending its reach and utility far beyond the initial live broadcast. Attendees are strongly encouraged to actively participate in the live session for direct engagement, to diligently follow the program's future updates, and to prominently mark this important date on their personal and professional calendars to fully benefit from the unique opportunity for direct interaction and timely information exchange.
