The National Academy of Medicine has released a framework code of conduct to guide the responsible development and deployment of AI technologies across health care systems.
Published in May, “An Artificial Intelligence Code of Conduct for Health and Medicine: Essential Guidance for Aligned Action” presents a unifying framework to guide the responsible development and application of AI and to catalyze collective action to ensure that the transformative potential of AI in health and medicine is realized.
As AI permeates systems of health care, promising advances in diagnostics, population health management and clinical efficiency, this new code of conduct is vital to guide stakeholders in applying foundational principles and frameworks to address critical concerns including algorithmic bias, data security and workforce impacts, said Michael Matheny, MD, MS, MPH, professor of Biomedical Informatics, Medicine and Biostatistics, and director of the Center for Improving the Public’s Health through Informatics at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
Michael Matheny, MD, MS, MPH“With AI revolutionizing health care delivery, the National Academy sought to gather leading experts across academia, industry and government to develop principles and a code of conduct to promote human health and ensure that ethical frameworks as well as patient needs and perspectives remain a central focus of the guidance. This code provides essential guideposts for all stakeholders, from developers to clinicians to patients,” said Matheny, who served as an editor of the report.
The framework establishes six core commitments, including emphasis on centering human expertise, improving outcomes across demographics, embedding technology into learning health systems, and continual performance improvement. The 186-page code of conduct was developed through extensive collaboration among AI developers, researchers, health systems, patient advocates, federal agencies, clinicians and ethics experts.
The report is co-authored by VUMC’s Peter Embí, MD, MS, member of the National Academy of Medicine’s AI Code of Conduct Steering committee, professor of Biomedical Informatics and Medicine, Endowed Director of Biomedical Informatics, and co-director of the ADVANCE AI Center at VUMC. Biomedical informatics stalwart William Stead, MD, McKesson Foundation Professor in the Department of Biomedical Informatics, professor of Medicine and former Chief Strategy Officer of VUMC, is one of the reviewers.
Peter Embí, MD, MS“The power of AI to transform health and health care has never been greater or more sorely needed, but ensuring it improves care and doesn’t cause harm isn’t guaranteed,” said Embi. “Effectively and ethically leveraging AI in healthcare will require deliberate and thoughtful adherence to emerging best practices and robust oversight. As a group of leaders with real-world experience building, implementing and governing health AI and with a shared dedication to optimizing its benefits for everyone, our aim with this code is to guide those responsible for realizing the vision of a better learning health care system enabled by AI.”
Key priorities include developing standardized metrics to assess bias, creating certification systems for AI alignment with societal goals, ensuring participation of all stakeholders across the AI lifecycle, and supporting positive work environments for health care professionals.
The authors hope this work will help ensure that health AI endeavors are successful by maintaining a focus and alignment with the code of conduct that can support the implementation and use of health AI according to best practices that promote its safe and effective use now and in the coming years.
English (US) ·