LAS VEGAS — The advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) has ignited a stream of discussions around its potential and peril across multiple sectors, particularly healthcare and education. At the recent HIMSS conference held in Las Vegas, experts expressed various viewpoints on AI, highlighting its growing adoption and confronting concerns about inequities among providers.
According to Graham Walker, co-director of advanced development at Kaiser Permanente's medical group, all types of healthcare providers, regardless of their size or resources, can access AI technologies. He suggested partnerships between rural hospitals and AI companies, noting, “A lot of the startups and smaller companies want some access to health systems. It’s much harder to get... than solitary hospitals.” This symbiotic relationship could present mutual benefits, enabling smaller facilities to become testing grounds for innovative technologies.
Brenton Hill, head of operations at the Coalition for Health AI, echoed Walker’s sentiments, emphasizing the power of unity. “The more people... can buy... together... the more leverage you’re going to have,” he said, advocating for smaller healthcare providers to collaborate for accessing AI tools. By pooling resources and efforts, these providers can take advantage of joint purchasing arrangements, potentially overcoming financial hurdles.
Tanay Tandon, CEO of Commure, highlighted the availability of high-quality AI tools at little to no cost. “Some of the best AI tools out there are free and accessible online,” he noted. This access can empower physicians, especially those working in rural clinics, to utilize technologies such as ambient documentation, which listens to and records patient visits. Tandon offered insights on the affordability of low-cost AI models, like DeepSeek, predicting they will become more prevalent. These advancements promise to make healthcare AI more accessible for smaller providers.
While such optimism about AI's affordability and accessibility exists, Brian Spisak, program director of AI and leadership at Harvard's National Preparedness Leadership Initiative, stressed the need for providers to have clear objectives before adopting AI. “Providers can be ready to jump on inexpensive and helpful AI products when they emerge,” he advised, insisting on the importance of clearly defining problems to be addressed, whether related to billing processes or patient triage.
The need for open communication between AI vendors and healthcare providers was apparent, with experts urging the tech industry to view these relationships as partnerships rather than mere transactions. There’s much at stake, especially with current challenges for U.S. providers, such as labor shortages and inflation driving up medical supply costs. Healthcare facilities, particularly regional ones, are accustomed to technological neglect, and any partnership must be sensitive to their histories and experiences.
Concerns about automation and AI infringing upon jobs are prevalent. Tandon voiced this caution, highlighting the unease felt by many rural areas. “When you’re in Silicon Valley... this is a force for good. When you go out to middle America, one of their core interactions with technology was losing the manufacturing industry.” Awareness is necessary to approach AI responsibly and effectively.
Turning the lens to the educational sector, the integration of AI within curricula is becoming increasingly urgent. Distinguished visiting professor Kennedy from the University of Johannesburg highlighted the mounting calls for educational institutions, particularly government schools, to embrace AI technology. There exists significant disparity, as independent educational facilities often lead the way due to superior resources and infrastructure. “Reducing the digital divide is... urgent and necessary,” Kennedy stated, underscoring the role of schools as pivotal environments for nurturing local AI talent.
The South African National Artificial Intelligence Policy Framework (SANAIPF) mandates the incorporation of AI from basic education through tertiary levels. This ambitious initiative, if executed effectively, could help bridge gaps between privileged and underprivileged schools, fostering innovation and preparing students for future careers.
Best practice recommendations from around the globe indicate the importance of scaffolding AI education throughout students' academic journeys. Such progressive integration could fundamentally change how students interact with AI, transforming it from merely using technology, to learning about its intricacies and ethical application. By prioritizing “AI Education Leading Schools,” as seen in systems like Korea, significant advancements could be achieved.
With the deployment of AI across both healthcare and education sectors, the responsibility of确保其所有利益的最大化应当对所有部门进行负责任的AI开发和使用的识别，教育和规制至关重要。同时，各组织和政府也应确保技术服务于产业，而不是扰乱它。
Just as the tech industry must appreciate the nuanced relationship between automation and human labor, it is up to educational institutions to fortify future generations with the skills and acumen required for responsible AI integration.
The article concludes with the reminder of the substantial opportunity present for advancements across all sectors if stakeholders engage collaboratively, tackle risks, and uphold ethical governance. Addressing the digital divide must be priority number one if we are to navigate the thriving role AI can generate for society.