Thursday, January 23, 2025
spot_img

WHO’s move for regulation of AI in healthcare highlights risks: Report

Date:

Share post:

spot_img
spot_img

New Delhi, Oct 25:  The World Health Organization’s (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 Wednesday.

The 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 tools.

The 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 professionals.

The 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 patients.

“AI 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 statement.

AI 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 misinformation.

A 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 colour.

The study ran nine questions through four AI chatbots, including OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s Bard. All four of the chatbots used debunked race-based information when asked about kidney and lung function.

“The 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 said.

The 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 collaboration.

“With 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 said.

IANS

spot_img
spot_img

Related articles

Yemen’s Houthis release crew of Galaxy Leader vessel to support Israel-Hamas ceasefire

Sanaa, Jan 22: Yemen's Houthi group on Wednesday said it had released the crew of Galaxy Leader vessel...

WEF Davos summit: Maha govt signs MoU with RIL for Rs 3.05 lakh cr investment

Mumbai, Jan 22: The Maharashtra government and Reliance Industries on Wednesday at the slide lines of the World...

1st T20I: Chakaravarthy picks 3-23 as bowlers help India bowl out England for just 132

Kolkata, Jan 22: Wrist-spinner Varun Chakravarthy shined with figures of 3-23 as the Indian bowlers put in a...

Assam inks MoUs to transform 354 tea garden hospitals into Ayushman Arogya Mandirs

Guwahati, Jan 22: In a landmark initiative to strengthen healthcare services in tea garden areas of the state,...