Medical Algorithms Need Better Regulation

Lack of AI regulation will be particularly risky in the health field. Currently, there is no specific regulation for medical algorithms. The closest regulatory framework is one used for medical devices. It is not sufficient in the fields where, in particular, decisions made by medical algorithms could be on the matter of life and death.

This article in Scientific America outlines the main principles for the regulation of medical algorithms and urgent need for action:

We know algorithms in health care can often be biased or ineffective. But the U.S. must pay more attention to the regulatory system that lets them enter the public domain to begin with. If a decision affects a patient’s life, “do no harm” must apply—even to computer algorithms.