The BIZIGAI model, the north star for comprehensive health, is unveiled at the 1st Community Health Day in the Basque Country

The TIC Salut Social Foundation Chair took part, alongside fellow sponsors University of Vic-Central University of Catalonia, in the 1st Seminar on Community Health organised by Osakidetza, the Basque Health Service. At the meeting held in Barakaldo, Marc de San Pedro, coordinator of the TIC Salut Social Chair, presented The BIZIGAI model: purpose and technology for community health. The BIZIGAI model, developed by Dr de San Pedro himself, proposes a new perspective on health focused on people’s life purpose, artificial intelligence as an ethical partner, and the strength of communities as active stakeholders in health.

Inspired by the Japanese concept of IKIGAI —the reason for being— and reinterpreted with Basque roots (BIZI = life, GAI = meaning, capacity), the model proposes integrating the biological, psychological, social and spiritual dimensions of health. The latter, oft forgotten, emerges as the key to more humane and meaningful healthcare. As underscored by Dr de San Pedro himself, “health is more than the absence of disease. It is also purpose, community, hope and meaning.”

AI with a purpose and humanity

One of the most innovative aspects of the proposal is the incorporation of Generative AI as a tool to support life purpose and community health. The development of AI was defended from a co-creative, ethical and contextual approach that does not replace but rather amplifies human potential. The model highlights five key competencies for healthcare professionals in the use of AI: critical thinking, communicative empathy, digital competence, use of natural language and data literacy.

The presentation also highlighted the role of digital communities and social networks as spaces for care, empowerment and health education. Through specific cases such as breast cancer or autoimmune encephalitis, it was demonstrated how technology, used purposefully, can create meaningful bonds and transform realities.

Catalonia as a laboratory for ethical innovation

In the final part of his speech, he presented the work of the TIC Salut Social Foundation as coordinator of the Health/AI Programme and how its pillars of action ensure the implementation of an ethical, efficient, fair and transparent AI as part of the Foundation’s and the Catalan Health System’s commitment to public and digital health. To conclude his speech, Dr de San Pedro called for “finding our purpose, living with meaning and building community”, recalling that purpose-centred healthcare is not a utopia, but a path that must be taken.