HHS Unveils Strategic Plan for AI in Healthcare, Emphasizing Safety and Equity

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has released a comprehensive strategic plan for artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare, outlining goals to promote safe adoption, equitable access, and workforce development. The plan, which comes days before the end of the Biden administration, addresses AI applications across medical research, product development, healthcare delivery, and public health.

Promoting Trustworthy AI Development and Ethical Use

HHS aims to establish a coordinated public-private approach to improve healthcare quality and accessibility through AI. The agency plans to release targeted guidance on how existing regulations apply to AI technologies, potentially requiring healthcare organizations to form internal committees for AI deployment assessment.

"At HHS, we are optimistic about the transformational potential of AI," said Deputy Secretary Andrea Palm. "However, our optimism is tempered with a deep sense of responsibility. We need to ensure that Americans are safeguarded from risks."

The strategic plan emphasizes the need for external validation of AI algorithms, with HHS considering support for third-party, conflict-free organizations to perform these validations. The agency may also set minimum standards for AI risk assessment and develop specific guidelines for AI use in hospitals.

Democratizing AI Technologies and Resources

To address concerns about a potential digital divide in AI adoption, HHS plans to establish regional technical assistance centers. These centers will aid under-resourced care settings in implementing AI technologies. The agency will also fund and disseminate AI impact assessment templates and implementation toolkits.

"We will explore the use of federal programs to motivate deployers of AI to undergo independent, external algorithmic audits conducted by certified entities free from conflict of interest," the strategic plan states. HHS specifically mentions supporting efforts like the Coalition for Health AI (CHAI) and the Trustworthy & Responsible AI Network (TRAIN).

Cultivating an AI-Empowered Healthcare Workforce

The strategic plan outlines long-term goals for increasing AI knowledge and expertise among healthcare professionals. HHS intends to fund workforce training programs, share AI training resources, and study the impact of AI on the healthcare workforce.

Additionally, the agency plans to conduct public education initiatives and convene regular AI sessions at healthcare conferences to ensure foundational knowledge within delivery organizations. This approach aims to lower the cost of implementing new tools and ensure their appropriate application.