Recent data from a survey conducted by the American Medical Association reveals that 66% of physicians in the United States are currently incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) into their medical practices. This growing integration signifies a pivotal shift in health care workflows, allowing clinicians to leverage AI for various applications, from diagnostics to patient management. However, as these AI tools become more ubiquitous, the need for responsible governance and oversight is becoming increasingly critical.
State policymakers and regulatory bodies, including the Joint Commission, are beginning to formulate new regulations aimed at overseeing the use of AI in health care. This discourse raises an essential question: Will these regulations benefit all health care organizations and their patients, or will they predominantly advantage those with the resources to navigate complex regulatory landscapes?
The AI Divide: Addressing Disparities
The conversation often revolves around the concept of “AI haves and have-nots.” Larger health care organizations, such as Kaiser Permanente, possess the financial resources, data infrastructure, and expertise necessary to effectively deploy AI tools while adhering to stringent regulations. In contrast, smaller hospitals, rural clinicians, and community clinics frequently struggle to maintain even basic IT infrastructures, let alone manage intricate new regulations.
Without careful planning and consideration, regulations intended to enhance safety may inadvertently exacerbate the AI divide within the health care sector. The decisions made at this juncture will shape whether smaller providers, and consequently their patients, are left behind or whether the entire health care community can achieve a higher standard of care.
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Effective regulatory frameworks should aim to assist all organizations equally, rather than favoring those already at the forefront of technology. Kaiser Permanente advocates for regulations that establish a clear baseline for privacy, safety, and human oversight without assuming that the most advanced organizations should set the standard for all. This balance is vital, especially given the multiple state proposals emerging, each with varying definitions and compliance expectations. Even larger organizations will find it challenging to keep up, and for smaller or rural hospitals, the burden could be overwhelming.
To function optimally, regulations governing AI in health care should adhere to several key principles:
- Keep it simple. Streamlined and consistent regulations can reduce both costs and confusion.
- Maintain flexibility. Requirements should be adaptable to organizations of varying sizes and accommodate new technologies.
- Provide organizational support. Health care entities are seeking more than just guidelines; they require resources and pragmatic assistance for the responsible deployment of AI technologies.
Kaiser Permanente’s Commitment to Responsible AI Use
As a nonprofit organization, Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to sharing insights and learnings with the broader health care community. Our leadership in AI and data-driven care is not solely focused on enhancing our own outcomes; we aim to facilitate progress across the entire health ecosystem, ensuring that all patients benefit.
To fulfill this mission, Kaiser Permanente actively engages in several initiatives:
- Sharing best practices. We publish our AI testing methods and evaluation processes, enabling other organizations to adapt these frameworks.
- Developing and publishing research. Our research efforts focus on AI in clinical care, contributing valuable knowledge to advance the field.
- Collaborating on policy. We work to shape clear, practical regulations that build trust within the health care community, engaging policymakers and accreditation bodies through events and educational efforts.
These initiatives are designed not only to enhance safety and transparency in AI applications but also to ensure equitable access across the health care sector, allowing patients across the United States to benefit from AI advancements, rather than limiting these opportunities to those served by larger health organizations.
