Artificial intelligence (AI) is one of the priority topics for many people throughout Europe who work in the health and care fields. It is high on the list of domains on which EHTEL members are focusing too.
Three pillars for AI in Europe
Among the chief actors involved is the European Commission. At this 13 June 2024 meeting, run by the All Policies for a Healthy Europe group, the primary messages of the European Commission on AI were structured around "three pillars".
AI needs to :
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Be based on data of the appropriate quality and quantity
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In relation to healthcare, look at for what will be happening in terms of activities on the European Health Data Space (EHDS). For more information on this data space, see this website.
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Be based on developments that need to be safe:
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The answer lies in the AI Act. For information on this first-ever legal instrument.
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The European Council has already given its 'green light' to this risk-based flagship legislation on 21 May 2024.
- "Leave the shelf" and be used in actual clinical practice.
Your opinions on AI are needed
To progress work on this topic further, the European Commission:
- Has launched a series of surveys entitled the Deployment of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Healthcare.
In total, five surveys are available to complete!
Select the most appropriate for your stakeholder type. The links follow:
- AI Developers and Researchers: Entities or individuals who are developing and deploying AI technology in healthcare in Europe or internationally, click here.
- Hospital Representatives: Hospital Leadership/Management (e.g., Chief Information/Data/Innovation/Medical Officers or Directors) who are responsible for hospital decision makingn click here.
- Healthcare Professionals: Individuals working in the healthcare system (e.g., clinicians, nurses, pharmacists, administrative and support staff), click here.
- Patients: Patient associations and individual patients to gather perspectives on the use of AI in their care, click here.
- Regulatory Experts: Individuals with a in-depth knowledge of the regulatory environment with respect to AI in healthcare, click here.
Give your views on what actions might be facilitated by the Commission to generate more efficient and effective use of AI in healthcare deployment.
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Has launched a second survey that refers to the Economic Impact of Applying AI in Healthcare in Europe.
This survey on the economic aspects of AI in health is aimed at all kinds of stakeholders.
Offer your views in what economic and financial aspects of AI in health actually count and what benefits result. Opportunities are also available to be interviewed on your opinions regarding the economic implications of AI.
What else is happening in the European Commission?
The European Commission:
- Will launch a call for proposals in September 2024, which is then due to close in January 2025: “DI-g-24-76 Call for proposals on advancing the adoption of artificial intelligence in health”
Practically speaking, the European Commission now has a European AI Office, which will employ up to 140 members of staff. The office will include several units that deal with hot topics like AI and robotics, AI and safety, and AI for societal good.
Source: European AI Office
Two useful reports
Two reports that are likely to be of background reading interest include:
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A May 2024 report published by the European Court of Auditors entitled “EU Artificial intelligence ambition – Stronger governance and increased, more focused investment essential going forward”. It analyses (audits) work on AI done by the European Commission in recent years, and identifies what steps need ideally to be taken in the future.
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An April 2024 EuroNews article, using data published by a European Joint Research Centre that provides figures on:
- How Europe's Member States are using two financial instruments to invest in digital transformation: the Next Generation EU (NGEU) fund and the Resilience and Recovery Facility (RRF).
- How much funding is being used on AI as well as electronic health records.
- Which European Member States are leading the way in Europe through their investments. The two countries in the vanguard are Italy and Spain!
What is EHTEL itself doing?
EHTEL encourages you to:
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Urgently complete the surveys run by the EC: Choose which survey suits your stakeholder type best. Just one example - out of five - is the AI developer survey
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As an EHTEL member, get involved in EHTEL 's overall work on the EHDS, e.g., its implementation-oriented task force. One its strands of activity is likely to be on AI!
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Take a look at the provisional timelines for the operationalisation of the EHDS.
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Learn about, and collaborate with, the work of EHTEL members who are already keenly interested, and involved, in AI use in healthcare.
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One example is Italian company, Kelyon, which has worked on the AI4NEF project, and has been notably mentioned by DIGITAL EUROPE. It won a top award for its work. Indeed, Kelyon Solution Analyst, Marco Benedetto commented recently: "Data is essential both for regulators and developers."
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