WHO: AI in Medicine Must Be Safe and Ethical
The WHO Director-General emphasized the need for artificial intelligence in medicine to be used safely and ethically during a conference in Tunisia.
Translated by Qiyas from كونا — Original source
Tunis, Sept 29 (KUNA) -- World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stressed on Tuesday that the use of artificial intelligence in medical, health, and therapeutic fields must be safe, ethical, and carefully considered. During his address at the opening of the International Digital Health Conference in Tunisia, Ghebreyesus emphasized the need to leverage digital technologies to expand access to health services and care and to reduce disparities, not widen them. He called for establishing strong foundations for digital transformation in the health sector, based on interoperable systems, effective governance, and appropriate regulatory frameworks, alongside ensuring the protection of personal data, privacy, and security, and guaranteeing that all segments of society benefit from technological advancements in health. Ghebreyesus noted that telemedicine enables connecting patients with health professionals over long distances, expanding access to specialized services, enhancing continuity of care, and reaching populations that may not be able to access health services through traditional means. For his part, Tunisian Minister of Health Mustafa Farjani explained that digital health platforms have played a significant role in managing serious conditions such as heart and brain strokes and emergency cases, highlighting the connectivity among health professionals to accelerate patients’ access to appropriate care. Farjani stressed the need to protect health data, ensure cybersecurity for health institutions, and evaluate artificial intelligence in real-world conditions of use under human supervision, with clearly defined responsibilities and respect for patient dignity. The three-day conference is exploring the future of health care and digital transformation, including virtual hospitals, connectivity and integration of health systems and data, and financing to develop partnerships that support equity in access to health care. (End) sh b m / f l a
