Skip to content
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the widespread application of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) has the potential to significantly improve diagnostics and therapy. However, the WHO warns that the overestimation of AI capabilities without recognizing their limitations could lead to dangerous misdiagnoses or improper treatment.
The Era of Responsible AI Use
The WHO has developed new recommendations regarding the ethics and management of Large Multimodal Models (LMMs) utilizing generative AI, based on the technology used in text models like ChatGPT. In such applications, AI can process text, video, and images to generate results relevant to the users requests.
The principles and recommendations within this document pave the way for a future where AI contributes to the wellbeing of humanity, adhering to the highest ethical standards. We’re all stepping into a new era of responsible AI use in public health and clinical medicine.
Alain Labrique, WHO director of digital health and innovation
Utilizing Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare
AI is employed in diagnostics, scientific research, drug development, medical education, and administration. The technology also aids patients in self-assessing their symptoms.
Artificial intelligence systems can be deployed to analyze vast amounts of medical data, including images, scans, and electronic health records. This assists in establishing diagnoses, providing individualized treatment plans, and even predicting therapy outcomes.
In regions experiencing a scarcity of medical practitioners, LMMs stand out as a pivotal tool in augmenting healthcare accessibility. y enhancing the productivity of healthcare workers, these machines can mitigate the impact of doctor shortages, ensuring broader and more equitable access to medical care.
Philippe Gerwill, a corporate advisor for AI 2030, an initiative geared towards responsible AI
However, alongside these potential benefits, substantial risks exist that must be carefully considered, cautions the WHO.
Drawbacks of Artificial Intelligence Use
One of the risks is the dependency of healthcare systems on AI applications that are not properly maintained or updated. This is particularly hazardous for countries with low and middle-income levels.
Misdiagnoses
According to the WHO, overestimating the capabilities of LMMs without acknowledging their limitations can lead to misdiagnoses or improper treatment. Dependence on these technologies may also result in job losses and the need for significant retraining of healthcare professionals.
Inequalities
The development and implementation are concentrated in the hands of large technology companies, requiring substantial financial investments, warns the WHO.
Equal access to LMMs may be limited by technological gaps and high subscription fees, exacerbating existing healthcare inequalities between developed and developing countries.
Moreover, LMMs have been trained on biased data, potentially perpetuating these biases within healthcare systems. Therefore, the fundamental challenge lies in establishing the necessary infrastructure and regulating the use of AI in both the public and private sectors.
Solutions
International organizations can level the playing field by enabling low and middle-income countries to access the computational power, data, and expertise necessary for the development and application of LMMs.
Championing inclusive development is important. It is vital for international organisations to ensure that stakeholders from nations with fewer resources are actively involved in the development and governance processes of new LMM technologies.
Philippe Gerwill, a corporate advisor for AI 2030
Despite the inevitable harm from AI, the WHO proposes recommendations regarding responsibility and compensation for patients suffer from AI actions.
