WHO's move for regulation of AI in healthcare highlights risks

The World Health Organisations WHO recent considerations for the regulation of artificial intelligence AI in healthcare highlights the potential challenges associated with using AI tools in the sector according to a report on WednesdayThe WHO regulatory considerations touch on the importance of establishing safety and effectiveness in AI tools making systems available to those who need them and fostering dialogue among those who develop and use AI toolsThe WHO recognises the potential of AI in healthcare as it could improve existing devices or systems through strengthening clinical trials improving diagnosis and treatment and aiding the knowledge and skills of healthcare professionalsThe report by GlobalData a data and analytics company notes that AI technologies are and have been deployed quite quickly and not always with a full understanding of how they will work in the long run which could be harmful to healthcare professionals or patientsAI has already improved several devices and systems and there are so many benefits of AI However there are risks too with these tools and the rapid adoption of them said Alexandra Murdoch Senior Analyst at GlobalData in a statementAI systems in medical or healthcare often have access to personal and medical information so there should be regulatory frameworks in place to ensure privacy and security There are a number of other potential challenges with AI in healthcare such as unethical data collection cybersecurity risks and amplifying biases and misinformationA recent example of biases in AI tools comes from a study conducted by Stanford University The study results revealed that some AI chatbots provided responses that perpetuated false medical information about people of colourThe study ran nine questions through four AI chatbots including OpenAIrsquos ChatGPT and Googles Bard All four of the chatbots used debunked racebased information when asked about kidney and lung functionThe use of false medical information is deeply concerning and could lead to a number of issues including misdiagnoses or improper treatment for patients of colour Murdoch saidThe WHO has released six areas for regulation of AI for health citing a need to manage the risks of AI amplifying biases in training data The six areas for regulation are transparency and documentation risk management validating data and being clear about the intended use of AI a commitment to data quality privacy and data protection and fostering collaborationWith these areas for regulation outlined governments and regulatory bodies can follow them and hopefully develop some regulations to protect healthcare professionals and patients and also use AI to its full potential in healthcare Murdoch saidThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever