World Health Organization (WHO), IDB and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has released version 2.0 of its “Public Health AI Readiness Assessment Toolkithighlighting how countries can assess their preparedness to implement AI projects into their public health strategies.
The toolkit aims to support countries understand how to integrate AI into their health systems by providing a framework for analysing various aspects of their infrastructure, data management, public engagement, evaluation, implementation, workforce and financing.
The 62-page report consists of 10 sections that include questions that allow countries to assess their readiness to implement AI, as well as tips and guidelines for successful implementation.
There is also a section with a link to the policy document that presents key concepts, metrics for monitoring AI deployment, and recommended actions to enhance interoperability.
Countries are provided with a strategic framework with guidelines for identifying the strengths and weaknesses of implementing AI in the public health sector and ethical considerations to ensure equitable apply of AI.
The toolkit is PAHO compliant Eight Core Principles for Digital Transformation in Healthcare and embodies Regional Roadmap for Digital Transformation of the Health Sector.
BIGGER TREND
WHO has long recognised the benefits of using artificial intelligence in healthcare.
In 2020, the organization shot a smoking cessation program called the Access Initiative for Quitting Tobacco, which paired users with AI-powered virtual health workers to provide them with nicotine replacement therapy.
Earlier this year, the company announced launch of a generative AI platform called SARAH., or Shrewd AI Resource Assistant for Health. The genAI platform can communicate in eight languages and is designed to provide information on major health topics such as well lifestyle habits and mental health.
Topics covered by SARAH include cancer, lung disease, diabetes, and heart disease. She can also educate people about quitting smoking, living an busy lifestyle, eating a well diet, and relieving stress.
In addition, in 2022, the US National Institutes of Health (National Institute of Health) has launched an artificial intelligence program, Bridge2AI. The program will invest $130 million over four years to accelerate the apply of AI in biomedical and behavioral research.
Last year, the UK began working with AI companies OpenAI AND Deep Mind to explore how governments can apply AI to better serve healthcare and education across the country.