World Health Organization (WHO) has unveiled a comprehensive publication highlighting critical regulatory considerations for harnessing the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare.
The document underscores the need to prioritize AI systems' safety and efficacy, rapid deployment for those in need, and fostering collaborative dialogue among various stakeholders, including developers, regulators, manufacturers, health professionals, and patients.
WHO acknowledges the capabilities of AI in areas such as bolstering clinical trials, enhancing medical diagnoses and treatments, promoting self-care and person-centered care, and augmenting healthcare professionals' knowledge and competencies.
North America, particularly the U.S., is a pivotal region in the AI in Healthcare Market.
Key players shaping the market include industry giants such as Nvidia Corp (NASDAQ: NVDA), Intel Corporation (NASDAQ: INTC), International Business Machines Corporation (NYSE: IBM), Alphabet Inc's (NASDAQ: GOOGL) (NASDAQ: GOOG) Google, General Electric Co (NYSE: GE), Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ: MSFT), Siemens Healthineers, Medtronic Plc (NASDAQ: MDT), Micron Technology Inc (NASDAQ: MU), and Amazon Web Services (NASDAQ: AMZN).
AI's applications are far-reaching, especially in regions lacking medical specialists, where it can prove invaluable in interpreting complex medical images, like retinal scans and radiology images.
However, the swift deployment of AI technologies, including large language models, without fully understanding their implications poses potential risks to healthcare professionals and patients.
In response to the growing need for responsible management of AI health technologies, the publication outlines six key areas for AI health regulation: transparency, risk management, data quality, addressing complex regulations, and fostering collaboration.
The WHO's new publication seeks to provide governments and regulatory authorities with essential principles to develop or adapt national or regional AI guidance, ensuring that AI's potential in healthcare is harnessed while minimizing risks.