On October 30, 2023, President Biden issued an executive order on safe, secure, and trustworthy artificial intelligence (AI). The order establishes new standards for AI development and use, with the goal of protecting Americans’ privacy, advancing equity and civil rights, supporting the workforce, and promoting innovation.

The order has significant implications for healthcare AI, which is already being used in a variety of ways to improve patient care, reduce costs, and accelerate research. For example, AI is being used to develop new diagnostic tools, personalize treatment plans, and identify patients at risk of complications.

One of the key provisions of the executive order is that it directs federal agencies to develop and implement guidance on the responsible use of AI. This guidance is expected to cover a wide range of topics, including how to mitigate bias in AI systems, protect patient privacy, and ensure that AI is used in a way that is consistent with ethical principles.

The order also calls for increased investment in AI research and development, with a focus on developing AI systems that are safe, secure, and reliable. This is particularly important for healthcare AI, as AI systems are increasingly being used to make high-stakes decisions about patient care.

In addition, the order directs federal agencies to work with industry and academia to develop standards for the responsible development and use of AI. This will help to ensure that AI is used in a consistent and ethical manner across all sectors.

Overall, President Biden’s executive order is a positive step for healthcare AI. It demonstrates the administration’s commitment to promoting the responsible use of AI in healthcare and to ensuring that AI is used to benefit all Americans. Here are some specific examples of how President Biden’s executive order on AI could impact healthcare AI:

• Mitigating bias in AI systems: The order’s focus on mitigating bias in AI systems is particularly important for healthcare, as AI systems can be biased against certain populations, such as minorities and low-income individuals. The order’s guidance on responsible AI use is expected to include recommendations for how to mitigate bias in AI systems, such as using diverse training data and testing AI systems for bias.
• Protecting patient privacy: The order also emphasizes the importance of protecting patient privacy when using AI. The order’s guidance on responsible AI use is expected to include recommendations for how to protect patient privacy, such as encrypting sensitive data and using anonymized data sets.
• Ensuring that AI is used in a way that is consistent with ethical principles: The order also calls for AI to be used in a way that is consistent with ethical principles. The order’s guidance on responsible AI use is expected to include recommendations for how to ensure that AI is used in an ethical manner, such as developing AI systems that are transparent, accountable, and fair.
• Increased investment in AI research and development: The order’s call for increased investment in AI research and development is also good news for healthcare AI. This investment will help to accelerate the development of new AI-powered healthcare tools and technologies.
• Development of standards for the responsible development and use of AI: The order’s call for the development of standards for the responsible development and use of AI is also important for healthcare AI. This will help to ensure that AI is used in a consistent and ethical manner across all sectors of healthcare.

Here are some specific examples of how healthcare organizations can implement the principles of the executive order on AI:

• Transparency: Healthcare organizations can promote transparency by publishing information about their AI systems, such as how they work, what data they use, and how they are evaluated. Additionally, healthcare organizations can provide patients and providers with access to information about the AI systems that are used in their care.
• Accountability: Healthcare organizations can promote accountability by developing governance structures for the use of AI. These structures should include clear roles and responsibilities for the development, deployment, and monitoring of AI systems. Additionally, healthcare organizations should establish mechanisms for reporting and investigating incidents involving AI systems.
• Fairness: Healthcare organizations can promote fairness by testing their AI systems for bias and taking steps to mitigate any bias that is identified. Additionally, healthcare organizations can develop policies and procedures to ensure that AI systems are used in a fair and equitable manner.
• Reliability: Healthcare organizations can promote reliability by testing their AI systems thoroughly before deploying them. Additionally, healthcare organizations should monitor their AI systems closely after deployment to ensure that they are performing as expected.

Here are some of the key steps that need to be taken to implement the Biden-Harris AI executive order in healthcare:

• Develop standards and guidelines: We need to develop standards and guidelines for the responsible use of AI in healthcare. This includes standards for data privacy, security, and bias mitigation.
• Invest in research and development: We need to invest in research and development to accelerate the development of new AI-powered healthcare tools and technologies.
• Educate and train healthcare professionals: We need to educate and train healthcare professionals on how to use AI responsibly and effectively.
• Make AI accessible and affordable: We need to make AI-powered healthcare tools and technologies accessible and affordable for all Americans, regardless of their income or insurance status.

By taking these steps, we can ensure that the Biden-Harris AI executive order has a positive impact on healthcare for all Americans.

Here are some specific examples of how the Biden-Harris AI executive order is already being implemented in healthcare:

• The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is investing in AI research to develop new diagnostic tools and treatment plans for a variety of diseases.
• The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is using AI to improve the efficiency of its healthcare system and to provide better care to veterans.
• Private companies such as Google and Microsoft are developing AI-powered healthcare tools and technologies, such as AI-powered medical imaging systems and AI-powered chatbots that can answer patients’ questions.

President Biden’s executive order on artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to revolutionize the healthcare industry. By promoting the responsible use of AI, the order can help to ensure that all Americans have access to safe, high-quality, and affordable care. Here are some of the ways in which the Biden-Harris AI executive order could transform healthcare:

• Improved patient care: AI can be used to develop new diagnostic tools, personalize treatment plans, and identify patients at risk of complications. This can lead to earlier diagnosis, more effective treatment, and better outcomes for patients.
• Reduced costs: AI can be used to automate tasks, improve efficiency, and reduce waste. This can lead to lower costs for patients and the healthcare system as a whole.
• Accelerated research: AI can be used to analyze large datasets of medical records and clinical trials. This can help researchers to identify new patterns and trends, and to develop new treatments and therapies more quickly.
• Increased access to care: AI can be used to develop telemedicine and other remote care solutions. This can make it easier for patients to access care, regardless of where they live or their financial situation.

The executive order on AI is a significant development for the healthcare industry. By promoting the responsible use of AI, the order has the potential to transform healthcare delivery and improve patient care. Healthcare organizations should begin planning now for how they will implement the principles of the executive order on AI.

https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2023/10/30/fact-sheet-president-biden-issues-executive-order-on-safe-secure-and-trustworthy-artificial-intelligence/