HIMSSCast: Biden's executive order on AI is just the beginning
The government needs to work with the private sector, which is light years ahead on AI, says public affairs director.
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President Biden's Executive Order on AI released last fall is one of the broadest steps ever taken on AI safety and security, said Jennifer Walsh, director of Public Affairs at Foley & Lardner. It has national security implications, as well as patient and data-security implications.
Some have complained that the EO lacks teeth.
Walsh thinks it's a good thing there are no penalties as yet, as it will take time to conduct the research and go through the numerous congressional committee hearings on AI.
"It feels like we're sort of at the beginning stages of understanding how to best regulate this in a way that's going to protect patients but also bring some much needed innovation to the healthcare sector," said Walsh, who has worked in both congressional offices and the private sector.
Listen to her conversation on AI, healthcare and the government in her conversation with Susan Morse, executive editor, Healthcare Finance News.
Talking points:
- Walsh started out as an intern and later became chief of staff to former Congressman Dennis Cardoza in the 18th District of California during implementation of the Affordable Care Act.
- The private sector is light years ahead of the government when it comes to AI.
- The government needs to partner with the private sector to understand what's doable.
- AI touches numerous congressional committees, and there's a lot of competing ideas that will take time to sort out.
- It's tough for healthcare clients to see the regulatory perspective of the EO when there are more immediate conditions such as reimbursement, burnout and staffing shortages.
- Providers are always looking for ways to alleviate clinician burden, but this does not mean they're jumping on the next thing on a regular basis.
- Congress must be made aware that if they implement regulations that make it harder for physicians to practice medicine, the outcome will have a downstream impact on patients.
More about this episode:
President Biden's executive order on AI directs HHS to establish safety program
Biden's executive order on AI gets provider and payer commitment
AMA: AI needs governance policies prior to adoption and physician input on the front end
White House outlines new rules for AI use in federal agencies
White House gets pledges from big healthcare players on AI safety and ethics
Ethical application of AI in healthcare in the spotlight
Email the writer: SMorse@himss.org
