WHO releases toolkit for AI assessment in public health

The World Health Organization (WHO), IDB and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) released version 2.0 of its "Artificial Intelligence in Public Health Readiness Assessment Toolkit," highlighting how countries can gauge their preparedness to implement 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 analyzing various aspects of their infrastructure, data management, public engagement, evaluation, implementation, workforce and funding. 

The 62-page report consists of 10 sections, which include questions for countries to assess their readiness to implement AI and considerations and guiding principles for successful implementation.

There is also a section with a link to a policy document that provides key concepts, indicators for monitoring AI implementation and recommended actions to advance interoperability. 

Countries receive a strategic framework with guidance on identifying strengths and weaknesses for AI implementation in their public health sector and ethical considerations to ensure that AI is equitable. 

The toolkit aligns with PAHO's Eight Guiding Principles of Digital Transformation in Health and embodies the Regional Roadmap for the Digital Transformation of the Health Sector. 

THE LARGER TREND

The WHO has long seen the benefits of AI use in healthcare. 

In 2020, the organization launched a tobacco cessation program called the Access Initiative for Quitting Tobacco, which paired users with AI virtual health workers for nicotine replacement treatments. 

Earlier this year, it announced the launch of a generative AI platform dubbed S.A.R.A.H., or Smart AI Resource Assistant for Health. The genAI platform can communicate in eight languages and is designed to provide information on major health topics like healthy lifestyle habits and mental health.

Topics S.A.R.A.H. touches on include cancer, lung disease, diabetes and heart disease. It can also educate individuals on quitting tobacco, living an active lifestyle, eating a healthy diet and relieving stress. 

Additionally, in 2022, the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) began working on an artificial intelligence program, Bridge2AI. Through the program, $130 million will be invested over four years into accelerating the use of AI in biomedical and behavioral health research. 

Last year, the UK partnered with genAI companies OpenAI and Deep Mind to explore how governments can use AI to serve healthcare and education across the country better. 

The HIMSS AI in Healthcare Forum is scheduled to take place September 5-6 in Boston. Learn more and register.