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Digital and AI-driven technologies hold significant potential to enhance health system efficiency, equity and quality. One emerging area of interest is the use of AI-enabled virtual humans—interactive, avatar-based agents capable of providing health-related guidance through human-like conversations. On 22 October 2024, the WHO Health Promotion team, in collaboration with BMJ, convened a virtual roundtable to explore the role of AI-enabled virtual humans, exemplified by the WHO prototype tool, Smart AI Resource Assistant for Health (S.A.R.A.H.), in advancing public health goals. This meeting report summarises key discussions, challenges and strategies proposed by experts from diverse sectors and geographies to expand the impact of these tools in global health promotion.