WHO issues first global report on Artificial Intelligence

In its latest report, Ethics and governance of artificial intelligence for health, experts look at how AI can improve diagnosis and screening for diseases and how it can be best used to minimise risk. "Like all new technology, artificial intelligence holds enormous potential for improving the health of millions of people around the world, but like all technology it can also be misused and cause harm," Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, said. "This important new report provides a valuable guide for countries on how to maximise the benefits of AI, while minimising its risks and avoiding its pitfalls." In some wealthy countries, AI is already being used to assist with clinical care, strengthen health research and drug development and support public health interventions such as disease surveillance, outbreak response and health systems management. In poor countries and rural communities, where patients often have restricted access to healthcare workers or medical professionals, it can also be used to better access health services.