World Health Organization (The WHO, IDB and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) have released version 2.0 of the Artificial Intelligence in Public Health Readiness Assessment Toolkit, highlighting how countries can assess their readiness to introduce AI projects into their public health strategies.
The toolkit aims to help countries understand how to integrate AI into their health systems by providing a framework for analysing different aspects of infrastructure, data management, public engagement, evaluation, implementation, workforce and financing.
The 62-page report is divided into 10 sections and includes questions for countries to assess their AI readiness, as well as considerations and guidance for successful adoption.
There is also a section with links to policy documents that provide key concepts, metrics for monitoring AI implementation, and recommended actions to improve interoperability.
Countries will receive a strategic framework with guidance on identifying the pros and cons of deploying AI in public health, as well as ethical considerations to ensure AI is fair.
This toolkit is part of the PAHO These are eight guiding principles for digital transformation in health, which embody the regional roadmap for digital transformation in health.
Larger trends
The WHO has long recognised the benefits of using AI in healthcare.
In 2020, the organization The company has launched a smoking cessation program called the “Smoking Cessation Access Initiative” that pairs users with an AI virtual health worker for nicotine replacement treatment.
Earlier this year, the company Launch of a generative AI platform called SARAH (Smart AI Resource Assistant for Health). The genAI platform can communicate in eight languages and is designed to provide information on key health topics such as healthy lifestyle habits and mental health.
SARAH covers topics such as cancer, lung disease, diabetes and heart disease, and also inspires people to quit smoking, live an active lifestyle, eat healthy and reduce stress.
In addition, in 2022, the National Institutes of Health (The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has begun work on an artificial intelligence program, Bridge2AI, through which $130 million will be invested over four years to accelerate the use of AI in biomedical and behavioral health research.
Last year, the UK partnered with the company genAI. OpenAI and Deep Mind will explore how governments can use AI to better deliver healthcare and education across the country.
The HIMSS AI in Healthcare Forum is scheduled to take place in Boston on September 5-6. More information and registration available here.
