Generative artificial intelligence could transform healthcare through things like drug development and quicker diagnoses, but the World Health Organization warned Thursday of the potential pitfalls in rushing to embrace AI.
The WHO has been examining the likely dangers and benefits posed by AI large multi-modal models (LMMs), which are relatively new and are quickly being adopted in health. In generative AI, algorithms trained on data sets can be used to produce new content.
LMMs are a type of generative AI which can use multiple types of data input, including text, images and video, and generate outputs that are not limited to the type of data fed into the algorithm.
“Some say this mimics human thinking and behaviour, and the way it engages in interactive problem-solving,” WHO digital health and innovation director Alain Labrique told a press conference.
The WHO said LMMs were predicted to have wide use and application in health care, scientific research, public health and drug development.
The UN health agency outlined five broad areas where the technology could be applied.
These are: diagnosis, such as responding to patients’ written queries; scientific research and drug development; medical and nursing education; clerical tasks; and patient-guided use, such as investigating symptoms.
