President Biden’s Executive Order on AI and Healthcare: A Conversation with Jennifer Walsh
President Biden’s Executive Order on AI in Healthcare Sparks Debate on Regulation and Innovation
President Biden’s Executive Order on AI released last fall has sparked a heated debate on the regulation and innovation of artificial intelligence in healthcare. Jennifer Walsh, director of Public Affairs at Foley & Lardner, believes that the EO is one of the broadest steps ever taken on AI safety and security, with implications for national security, patient safety, and data security.
While some critics have argued that the EO lacks teeth, Walsh sees the absence of penalties as a positive sign. She believes that it will take time to conduct the necessary research and navigate the complex landscape of congressional committee hearings on AI regulation.
In a recent conversation with Susan Morse, executive editor of Healthcare Finance News, Walsh shared her insights on the challenges and opportunities presented by AI in healthcare. She highlighted the gap between the private sector, which is leading the way in AI innovation, and the government, which needs to collaborate with industry experts to understand the possibilities and limitations of AI technology.
Walsh emphasized the importance of balancing regulatory oversight with the need for innovation in healthcare. She noted that providers are constantly seeking ways to alleviate clinician burden, but they are cautious about adopting new technologies without clear guidelines and regulations in place.
As Congress grapples with the complexities of AI regulation, Walsh stressed the need to consider the impact on patient care. She warned that overly restrictive regulations could hinder physicians’ ability to practice medicine effectively, ultimately affecting patient outcomes.
Overall, the conversation highlighted the need for a collaborative approach to AI regulation in healthcare, with a focus on balancing innovation with patient safety and data security. President Biden’s Executive Order on AI is just the beginning of a long process of shaping the future of healthcare technology.