The World Health Organization (WHO) has recently appointed the Digital Ethics Centre at Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands as a WHO Collaborating Centre for artificial intelligence (AI) in health governance. The integration of AI into healthcare has the potential to revolutionize medical services, enhance health outcomes, and personalize care for elderly individuals and their families. However, to leverage the advantages of AI effectively, it is essential to have cooperation among stakeholders who are dedicated to implementing strong governance structures, ethical principles, and evidence-based strategies.
The recognition of the Digital Ethics Centre at Delft University of Technology as a WHO Collaborating Centre underscores its extensive experience in pioneering research on responsible innovation and its leadership in embedding ethical values into the development of digital technologies. This appointment signifies the continuation of a longstanding partnership between the Digital Ethics Centre and WHO, which has involved collaborative efforts in organizing global consultations, workshops, and the formulation of normative guidelines and training programs.
Dr. Alain Labrique, WHO’s Director of Digital Health and Innovation, emphasized the organization’s commitment to assisting Member States in planning, regulating, and adopting ethical AI technologies. The rapid evolution of AI presents opportunities for transforming healthcare systems and supporting individuals in managing their health effectively. To ensure the ethical and equitable deployment of AI advancements in healthcare, strong academic and technical collaborations are paramount in guiding this progress.
The Collaborating Centre on AI for health governance will play a crucial role in WHO’s initiatives to promote the ethical and responsible utilization of AI in healthcare by conducting research on key issues and offering expert insights for the development of WHO’s guidelines and policies. Additionally, the Centre will function as a focal point for education and advocacy, promoting research driven by scientific principles and facilitating knowledge exchange and training through workshops at regional and national levels.
Professor Jeroen van den Hoven, Scientific Director at Delft Digital Ethics Centre, highlighted the organization’s extensive research over two decades in digital ethics and responsible innovation, positioning it as a leader in integrating ethical values into the design of digital technologies like AI. The collaboration with WHO underscores a collective commitment to ensuring that AI benefits public health equitably and responsibly, enabling Member States to navigate the complexities and potentials of AI while fostering trust, transparency, and innovation in digital health.
The establishment of the Digital Ethics Centre at Delft University of Technology as a WHO Collaborating Centre underscores WHO’s dedication to evidence-based AI governance, advocating for the responsible application of AI while upholding the highest ethical standards in healthcare.
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