Federal and state policymakers as well as the private sector are all making moves to manage and adopt Artificial Intelligence (AI). The White House released a new memo on all the work being done in the space, including regulatory safety guardrails and a global push to advancing U.S. leadership in AI. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has begun its internal restructure to be better positioned to quickly adapt to AI, which includes having a “Chief AI Officer.” We are also seeing private industry looking to disrupt the health care space with new generative AI technology that is poised to optimize research and development. While an exciting time for AI, there are still many hurdles the technology will need to overcome.

Federal and Regulatory Bodies Focus on Oversight

Last year’s Executive Order launched a government-wide AI talent search to increase AI capacity for both national security and non-national security missions. The White House awarded over 80 research teams’ access through the National AI Research Resource (NAIRR) pilot—a national infrastructure led by governmental and nongovernmental partners. The research will support projects to tackle deepfake detection, advance AI safety and enable next-generation medical diagnoses.

Federal agencies are also restructuring to be positioned to better address AI policy. For example, HHS’ Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) has been renamed and restructured. While still overseeing data standards for health care systems, including the electronic health records that underpin patient care and billing, the office will now be called the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy and Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ASTP/ONC). Additionally, its scope will expand with a new Office of the Chief Technology to include a Chief AI Officer, a Chief Data Officer and a new Office of Digital Services.

Congress is also trying to figure out what type of guardrails to develop to ensure the safe and ethical use of AI, without stifling innovation. Senator Schumer has led this effort, releasing last year an AI policy framework to help guide future legislation. While federal legislation on AI is being discussed, states are also busy considering their own legislation.

The Industry Watches for New Disruptions

Over the last few years, the health care industry has seen many new retail giants like Walmart, CVS and Amazon enter the field. Now, given the promise of innovations spurred on by advancements in AI, technology companies like Nividia are looking to make their own path in the space. In 2023, Nvidia launched the BioNeMo platform with the goal of bringing advanced AI-powered medicine to the public. Let’s look at how this new technology could be used in health care:

  • AI-Powered Medicine: AI development is being used to understand and efficiently read medical images like PT scans. Nvidia is also working with medtech companies like Johnson & Johnson to accelerate the mobilization of AI for surgery. GE Aerospace spinoff GE HealthCare has also utilized Nvidia AI technology for their SonoSAMTrack tool, which is used to analyze ultrasounds.
  • AI Speeds Up Drug Discovery: One hope is that AI can be used to sort through trillions of pieces of data and to invent new molecules and proteins that will help discover fresh treatments for chronic health problems. In tangent with genomics, AI technology could be tailored so that each individual gets the treatment that will help their genes do a better job treating their disease – truly bringing personalized medicine to the public.

Yes, But… Technology Might be Ahead of Public and Physician Trust

A recent study found that 19% of physicians still believe generative AI undermines the patient-clinician relationship, while 43% of doctors recognize generative AI’s potential to ease administrative burdens and lighten workloads. For AI to be better trusted, more education and guardrails are needed to ensure its safe and ethical use.