THE World Health Organization (WHO) recently published detailed guidance on the ethics and governance of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare, with a particular focus on large multimodal models (LMM). This comprehensive guidance comes as AI technologies, particularly LMMs, are increasingly integrated into healthcare systems globally, revolutionizing the way healthcare services are delivered and managed.
Study: Ethics and governance of artificial intelligence for health. Tips on large multimodal models. Image credit: metamorworks/Shutterstock.com
Key aspects of WHO guidance
The guidance document explores various aspects of the application of AI in healthcare, addressing the urgent need for ethical considerations and robust governance frameworks.
Ethical Use of AI in Healthcare
Highlighting the importance of respecting patient autonomy, WHO highlights the need for AI systems to be transparent and intelligible. This is crucial to maintaining responsibility and accountability for AI-assisted decisions in healthcare.
LMM
LMMs, capable of processing and interpreting various types of data, including biosensor data, genomic information, and environmental factors, are at the forefront of AI in healthcare. Additionally, LMMs offer immense potential in the areas of diagnosis, clinical care and medical research. However, their use raises concerns about data privacy, potential bias in decision-making and the risk of job losses in the healthcare sector.
Balancing benefits and risks
The WHO guidance calls for a balanced approach to AI in healthcare, in which researchers maximize the benefits of AI to improve healthcare delivery and research while addressing the risks associated with its use. This includes ensuring data privacy, preventing bias, and aligning AI technologies with sustainability and public health goals.
Recommendations to governments and stakeholders
WHO guidance emphasizes the critical role of governments in regulating AI in healthcare. For example, governments are encouraged to establish regulatory frameworks to develop and enforce standards for the development and deployment of AI in healthcare. This includes ensuring that AI systems are transparent, compliant with ethical standards and respectful of human rights.
Independent audits and impact analyzes
WHO recommends mandatory independent audits and impact assessments of AI systems, especially those deployed at scale. These assessments should focus on data protection, human rights implications, and the impacts of AI on diverse populations.
Inclusive stakeholder engagement
The WHO guidance highlights the importance of involving a wide range of stakeholders, including healthcare professionals, patients, AI developers and civil society, in the AI development process. This approach will ensure that AI systems are inclusive, equitable and meet the needs of all sections of society.
Potential and Challenges of AI in Healthcare
AI in healthcare offers significant potential to improve patient outcomes, strengthen the efficiency of health systems, and accelerate medical research. LMMs, in particular, have the ability to analyze large amounts of data, leading to more accurate diagnoses, personalized treatment plans, and a better understanding of complex medical conditions.
However, integrating AI into healthcare also presents significant challenges. These include concerns about data privacy, the risk that AI systems will perpetuate existing biases, and the ethical implications of AI-assisted decision-making in healthcare. The WHO guidance aims to address these challenges by providing a framework for the ethical and responsible use of AI in healthcare.
Global Implications and Future Directions
The publication of the WHO guidelines on AI in healthcare is an important step in the global effort to harness the benefits of AI while mitigating its risks. Additionally, these guidelines highlight the need for international collaboration and shared standards to develop and deploy AI technologies in healthcare.
Looking forward, WHO’s guidance sets the stage for continued dialogue and development in this rapidly evolving area. To this end, WHO provides an opportunity for governments, healthcare providers, AI developers and civil society to work together to ensure that AI in healthcare is used ethically and responsible for the good of public health.
Conclusions
WHO’s comprehensive guidance on the ethics and governance of AI in healthcare, with a focus on LMMs, marks a significant step forward in addressing the complex challenges and opportunities presented by AI in health care.
By providing clear recommendations and emphasizing the need for balanced, ethical and inclusive approaches, WHO is leading the way in ensuring that AI technologies are harnessed to improve healthcare outcomes, improve patient care and advance global health equity. As AI continues to transform healthcare, these guidelines will serve as a crucial reference for policymakers, healthcare providers and AI developers around the world.
