ICMR releases ethical guidelines for AI usage in healthcare

The Indian Council of Medical Research has released the country’s first Ethical Guidelines for Application of Artificial Intelligence in Biomedical Research and Healthcare, aimed at creating “an ethics framework which can assist in the development, deployment, and adoption of AI-based solutions” in the fields specified. Through this, they hope to make “AI-assisted platforms available for the benefit of largest section of common people with safety and highest precision possible,” while also addressing emerging ethical challenges when it comes to AI in biomedical research and healthcare delivery. “It is intended for all stakeholders involved in research on AI in biomedical research and healthcare, including creators, developers, researchers, clinicians, ethics committees, institutions, sponsors, and funding organizations,’’ noted Dr. Rajiv Bahl, director-general, ICMR. India already offers streamlining of AI technologies in various sectors including healthcare through the National Health Policy, National Digital Health Blueprint, and Digital Information Security in Healthcare Act proposed by the Health Ministry which will pave the way for the establishment of the National Data Health Authority and other health information exchanges.