Healthcare AI Regulation Gap Filled by Coalition for Health AI (CHAI)
TL/DR –
The Coalition for Health AI (CHAI), launched in December 2021, is committed to creating best practice frameworks for AI in healthcare, despite the current lack of AI regulations in the sector. The group, consisting of over 3,000 providers and tech companies, focuses on transparency and fairness, with the intention of providing “guardrails and guidelines that build trust” across the healthcare sector. Furthermore, CHAI has announced a partnership with the Joint Commission to establish AI rules and tools, and is also aiming to connect with smaller healthcare providers to ensure resources are effectively distributed.
AI Regulations in Healthcare: A Work in Progress
With AI rapidly emerging in healthcare, there is a pressing need for AI regulations. However, such regulations are currently lacking. Earlier discussions on prohibiting states from regulating AI over the next decade were abandoned in favor of a proposal restricting broadband funding in states that regulate AI. This was part of the massive tax bill passed by the House on June 6. Read More About Congress’ AI Regulation Moratorium.
At the same time, the use of AI in healthcare is exploding, with 75% of top healthcare companies conducting experiments with generative AI, according to the Deloitte Center for Health Solutions. Additionally, the research organization reported that 82% of healthcare organizations plan to implement governance and oversight structures for generative AI.
Introducing the Coalition for Health AI (CHAI)
Enter the public-private Coalition for Health AI (CHAI). This group, comprising 3,000 providers, tech companies, and other healthcare organizations, was launched in December 2021 to develop AI standards in healthcare. Members include Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, and Mount Sinai. CHAI’s 180-page guide for responsible AI use in healthcare outlines principles of trustworthy AI, system design, and monitoring.
CHAI Guidelines for Transparency and Fairness
CHAI promotes transparency as a core principle in its guidelines. It uses a model card, akin to a “nutrition label”, providing AI usage metrics, warnings, and testing types. Its guidelines also emphasize fairness to ensure effective training models across diverse populations.
While CHAI focuses on tech aspects, it doesn’t advocate for specific regulations or federal policies. Instead, it serves as an educational resource on responsible AI principles. CHAI members are generally interested in regulations that avoid stifling innovation or creating conflicting state regulations.
CHAI Partnerships and Initiatives
Recently, CHAI announced a partnership with the Joint Commission, a nonprofit that sets healthcare standards. Together, they aim to create AI rules, tools, and a certification program. They plan to accelerate AI best practices adoption across US healthcare systems. A new guidance to this effect will be released in fall, followed by an accreditation.
CHAI is also keen to connect with smaller providers like community health centers to create playbooks for clinics with limited resources. As part of this initiative, Kyu Rhee, president and CEO of the National Association of Community Health Centers, joined CHAI’s board in February.
Joining CHAI: The Experience of CEO Emmanuel Oquendo
Emmanuel Oquendo, CEO of BrainHi, a software company that automates operations for medical practices needing administrative support, joined CHAI in November. Oquendo appreciated one of CHAI’s principles: ensuring AI algorithms and models cater to specific community needs. He also valued CHAI for its learning and networking opportunities with other healthcare experts on using AI responsibly and securely.
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