Artificial intelligence, or AI, is changing how nutrition professionals work, whether in clinical care, public health, or research.
To help nutrition professionals navigate the growing role of AI, a joint task force from the American Society for Nutrition (ASN) and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (the Academy) has developed the Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Resource Guide. The guide is now published in ASN’s The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition and offers practical guidance for using AI responsibly in nutrition practice and research.
Nutrition professionals are seeing AI-enabled tools used across many areas, from monitoring the food supply and analyzing dietary patterns to supporting clinical decision-making. As these tools become more common, it is important to understand how they work and how to use them responsibly. Using AI in nutrition requires strong governance, transparent data practices, and adherence to ethical principles.
Why this resource guide matters
AI can help make sense of complex data, inform decisions, and support more personalized nutrition guidance. At the same time, it raises important questions about data quality, bias, and professional standards.
The guide provides a practical starting point for building the knowledge and skills needed to explore how AI can be used in nutrition practice and research. It also helps professionals identify key factors to consider when evaluating AI tools on the market, such as transparency, data quality, bias, and alignment with ethical guidelines. The task force plans to expand this work in a future publication that will examine industry-specific nuances and challenges across different areas of nutrition.
Using AI responsibly in nutrition
The guide encourages nutrition professionals to carefully evaluate AI tools before using them. This means understanding how a tool works, where its data comes from, whether it has been reviewed for bias, and whether it aligns with ethical guidelines and professional standards.
Professionals do not need to be AI experts to start using these tools. However, having a basic understanding is important. Education and training can help build the skills needed to use AI effectively. Courses and certificate programs are available for professionals at all levels, from beginners to advanced learners. Working with data scientists, mathematicians, and biostatisticians can also help nutrition professionals stay informed and make well-informed decisions.
As AI becomes increasingly important in nutrition research and practice, this resource offers a practical place to start. Explore the Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Resource Guide and consider how AI may fit into your work. By staying informed, following best practices, and remaining adaptable, nutrition professionals can use AI in ways that are reliable, fair, and aligned with professional standards.
