US Gov't Tries to Catch Up with AI Advancement for Healthcare Use

US lawmakers are now trying to jump into the speeding AI train to use the latest development in the country's healthcare system.

Just last week, several experts testified in front of the Senate Committee on Finance to address concerns about AI's application in medicine and healthcare technology.

Finance Committee chair Sen. Ron Wyden pointed out the need for "guardrails in place to protect patients" as the medical industry becomes more reliant on AI.

Wyden raised concerns about big data systems being "riddled with bias" in assessing patient treatment, citing a 2019 study by Dr. Ziad Obermeyer on possible "harmful racial bias" AI may introduce.

It can be remembered that Wyden, along with other House Democrats, reintroduced the Algorithmic Accountability Act to assess risks on AI's ability to make critical decisions.

AI algorithm has been the most commonly used form of AI in today's medical landscape, aside from assistant chatbots, for digital services and operations.

Big Pharma, Health Insurances Leverage AI Use

Along with the increase in AI applications, so does the big pharmacies, health insurances, and biotech firms started hopping into the tech trend.

Management consultant McKinsey has already raised prospects of an "AI-driven drug discovery" for biotech companies to boost research workflows and possibly even at clinical trials.

So far, only Georgia has proposed to block AI applications in healthcare, particularly in decision-making roles, emphasizing the need for such procedures to be "meaningfully reviewed."

Healthcare has been among the highlighted sectors that require fast regulatory intervention under President Joe Biden's executive order on AI.

US Gov't Current Measures on Healthcare AI

The Finance Committee's probe was the first big step Washington has taken to address the topic of AI in healthcare.

Under Biden's executive order, the Department of Health and Human Services is required to "establish a safety program" for reports of harmful or unsafe practices involving AI.]

This is in addition to research efforts to advance healthcare in the country with the help of AI.