By Lauren Riplinger, JD
As technology continues to advance rapidly, you’ve likely seen how AI is changing every sector, including healthcare. Recently, I took a deep dive into the Bipartisan Senate AI Working Group report that gathered insights from nine in-depth forums held earlier this year. These discussions covered everything from AI’s impact on jobs to vital privacy and liability issues.
As we approach an AI-driven future, I’d like to share some personal reflections and key takeaways, along with my thoughts on the path forward.
One of the most compelling findings from the Senate report is the urgent need for legislation focused on training, retraining, and upskilling our workforce. Members of the AI Working Group highlighted that as AI continues to reshape industries, it's crucial to equip US workers with the skills they need to thrive. This means not just encouraging businesses to adopt new technologies, but also ensuring they integrate reskilled employees into their operations seamlessly, according to the working group. It's a dual commitment to innovation and human capital that will drive our economy forward.
In the realm of healthcare and beyond, safeguarding privacy and ensuring accurate, unbiased data usage emerged as top priorities for members of the AI Working Group. With AI's growing presence in our lives, the group highlighted that it's essential to establish robust guardrails to protect consumers from fraud and misuse. This involves developing clear consumer protections and promoting the use of representative data to prevent bias.
The AI Working Group notes that health-related agencies like the National Institutes of Health (NIH) must lead the charge in navigating these privacy challenges, especially when dealing with advanced technologies like language models.
The Senate forums highlighted the delicate balance between fostering innovation and maintaining rigorous oversight. AI Working Group members recommended that regulatory bodies like the FDA and the ONC need the right tools to assess AI-enabled products' risks and benefits effectively. This is crucial for ensuring regulatory predictability and fostering a trustworthy AI landscape.
Equally important, they note, is the need for transparency in AI tools used in clinical settings. End-users, whether they are healthcare providers or patients, should have a clear understanding of how these tools work and the data that powers them.
The AI Working Group also underscored the need for supportive policies, including those related to reimbursement, to truly harness AI's potential in healthcare delivery. Encouraging the adoption of AI in healthcare can lead to significant improvements in patient outcomes and operational efficiencies, but it must be done thoughtfully to avoid overburdening providers and patients.
No single committee will "own" the crafting of an overarching AI legislation. Instead, because AI today touches so many aspects of a variety of different industries such as healthcare, national security, employment, technology, a concerted effort across various committees — such as the House Energy & Commerce, the Senate Health Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, and others — will be essential.
With the legislative calendar constrained by the upcoming general election, the future of AI legislation remains uncertain as there’s limited time to advance AI-related laws this year. However, our commitment to engaging with congressional staff and monitoring these developments remains steadfast.
At AHIMA, our policy and government affairs team continues to advocate for thoughtful AI oversight and protections, while encouraging technological advancements that do not unduly burden the end-user, particularly in non-clinical spaces. We believe that by staying engaged and proactive, we can help shape a future with AI that benefits all.
Ultimately, navigating the future of AI is a complex but exciting journey. By focusing on workforce development, safeguarding privacy, balancing oversight with innovation, and proper oversight, we can pave the way for a brighter, AI-enabled future.
Let's continue this important conversation and work together to harness AI's full potential.
Lauren Riplinger, JD, is chief public policy and impact officer for AHIMA.