For AI Use in Healthcare - ICMR releases ethical guidelines

What's the objective to release guidelines for AI usage in healthcare? It helps in designing, implementation, and usage of artificial intelligence systems that will guarantee data protection and give advantage to people. 

As per the statement released by the two entities, AI in health depends extensively on data collected from human participants, which presents questions on different concerns such as possible prejudices, data processing, determination, liberty, risk minimization, professional ability, exchange of data, and security.

"It is therefore imperative to have an ethical framework that addresses issues specific to AI for biomedical research and healthcare," the guidelines stated.

India is becoming more reliant on AI technology in healthcare. There are platforms with AI assistance that can be used to benefit the broadest group of ordinary people while maintaining the highest level of safety and efficiency. The guidelines that developed after lengthy discussions with experts cover some sections of ethics review process, AI use governance, consent approval, and ethical principles.

The importance of creating these guiding ethical principles is determined by DHR-ICMR AI cell for products that use machine learning and artificial intelligence.

It [the document] is intended for all stakeholders involved in research on AI in biomedical research and healthcare, including creators, developers, researchers, clinicians, ethics committees, institutions, sponsors, and funding organizations,'' noted Dr. Rajiv Bahl, director-general, ICMR.

All those with an interest in studying AI in healthcare should refer to the guidelines, include:

• Creators
• Developers
• Technicians
• Ethics committees
• Sponsors
• Clinicians
• Institutions
• Funding organizations

According to the document, protocols that address accountability in the event of errors are crucial as AI technologies are developed further and used in healthcare decision-making. The ethics committee is responsible, in accordance with the criteria, for overseeing the AI in health ethical review process. Even in wealthy nations, the regulation of AI technology in healthcare is still in its early stages.

These recommendations are meant to guide the creation, implementation, and usage of technologies related to AI in the field of biomedical research and healthcare delivery. It happen in such a way so that both will work efficiently and safe rather restricting new development of any particular disease-specific diagnostic or therapeutic approach.