AI in Healthcare

Healthcare AI continues to evolve rapidly as organizations navigate implementation challenges, regulatory frameworks, and workforce development needs. Today's updates highlight six key developments shaping the field:

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The UK's Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is asking for public feedback on AI regulation in healthcare. The agency wants input from doctors, patients, and industry leaders on how AI tools should be governed. This comes as AI use in healthcare grows rapidly, with officials calling this a "pivotal moment" for the field. The consultation aims to create balanced rules that protect patients while allowing innovation. Health Tech World – MHRA seeks input on AI regulation at 'pivotal moment' for healthcare

Medical schools are adding AI courses to prepare future doctors for technology-powered healthcare. Programs now teach students how to use AI tools responsibly and understand their limits. Some schools focus on practical applications like diagnostic support and research assistance. This education helps new doctors work with AI rather than fear it. The training covers both benefits and risks of AI in patient care. HealthExec – Immersing new docs in all things AI The University of Cincinnati is also studying how AI can support medical research, teaching students to leverage these tools effectively. University of Cincinnati – UC medical students study how AI can support their research

A Harvard Medical School study found that AI systems designed to detect cancer can also identify patient demographics from medical images. This raises concerns about bias in AI diagnoses. The systems may make different decisions based on race, gender, or other factors they detect in scans. Researchers worry this could lead to unfair treatment outcomes. The findings highlight the need for better testing of AI tools before clinical use. ScienceDaily – AI detects cancer but it's also reading who you are

Healthcare technology company b.well released the first software development kit (SDK) for health AI assistants. The new tool can cut AI processing costs by up to 10 times, making large-scale healthcare AI more affordable. This addresses a major barrier to AI adoption in healthcare organizations. Lower costs could help smaller practices and hospitals implement AI tools. The SDK aims to standardize how health AI assistants are built and deployed. PR Newswire – b.well Launches the First-Ever SDK for Health AI Assistants

The FDA's Digital Health Advisory Committee discussed safety rules for AI in mental health devices. Committee members raised concerns about AI systems missing medical conditions that look like psychiatric symptoms. They also worried about doctors relying too much on machine recommendations. The committee stressed the need for proper human oversight of AI mental health tools. These discussions will shape future regulations for AI in psychiatry and psychology. Hogan Lovells – FDA's Digital Health Advisory Committee weighs guardrails for generative AI in mental health devices

New research from athenahealth shows AI use in healthcare is expanding beyond basic administrative work. Healthcare providers now use AI for clinical decision support and patient care planning. The study found AI helping with diagnosis suggestions and treatment recommendations. This shift represents a major change in how healthcare organizations view AI technology. However, proper training and oversight remain essential as AI takes on more clinical roles. Business Wire – New Findings From athenahealth Reveal AI Use Advancing Beyond Administrative Tasks

These developments show healthcare AI is maturing beyond early hype into practical applications. However, challenges around bias, regulation, and proper training remain critical. Healthcare organizations must balance innovation with patient safety as AI becomes more integrated into clinical practice. The focus is shifting from whether to use AI to how to use it responsibly and effectively.