Introduction
Advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) hold great promise for enhancing global health, but their successful application relies on robust evidence and collaboration across various sectors. This article explores the essential role of real-world data in the development and deployment of AI technologies in healthcare.
It is crucial for AI tools and systems to be informed by the data on which they are trained.
“Ensuring new AI tools are underpinned by real-world evidence can dramatically shorten the time required to translate innovative ideas into scalable solutions,” states Trevor Mundel, President of Global Health at the Gates Foundation.
We acknowledge that philanthropy plays a significant role in how AI is crafted and executed to enhance health outcomes. However, we cannot achieve this alone.
Meaningful progress requires collaboration among governments, researchers, industry leaders, and communities to ensure that AI technologies yield significant and equitable advantages for everyone.
That’s why all findings from EVAH will be made freely accessible online, allowing anyone striving to bolster health systems or improve AI tools to utilize the evidence. This initiative will prioritize standards of data privacy, safety, and ethical considerations.
Moreover, our partnerships with the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab and the African Population Health Research Centre are focused on gathering and disseminating evidence in ways that foster local leadership and strengthen trust and engagement with these technologies.
Publishing findings through open access channels could significantly enhance the impact of these AI tools. Lene Oddershede, Chief Scientific Officer for Planetary Science and Technology at the Novo Nordisk Foundation, emphasizes that these evaluations will “offer decision-makers vital data on effectiveness, economic value, and the acceptability of these technologies in the settings where they are most needed.”
Conclusion
In conclusion, the integration of AI in healthcare can revolutionize how we approach health challenges, but it requires a commitment to evidence-based practices and collaborative efforts across all sectors. Together, we can ensure that these innovations lead to meaningful improvements in global health.
