Page 7 - Shaping ethics, regulation and standardization in AI for health

Foreword – ITU

The rapid evolution of Artificial Intelligence (AI) presents
both extraordinary opportunities and complex challenges for
global health systems. At the International Telecommunication
Union (ITU), we recognize that the foundation of trustworthy
AI will be robust, inclusive digital infrastructure.

The Focus Group on Artificial Intelligence for Health, a
partnership of ITU and the World Health Organization,
exemplifies our commitment to shaping the future of
AI through international collaboration and technical
standardization. Over five years, our focus group brought
together a global community of experts to develop a
benchmarking framework to ensure that AI solutions in
health are safe, effective, and ethical. This work is grounded in the principles of transparency,
interoperability, and equity – values that are central to ITU’s mission.

The Open Code Initiative, a digital public good developed by the focus group, demonstrates
how open-source platforms can help operationalize standards and foster innovation across
borders.
The focus group’s publications – spanning ethics, regulation, technical specifications, and
clinical evaluation – provide a blueprint for future standardization efforts. They also highlight
the importance of including low- and middle-income countries in the development of global
digital health solutions.

As AI continues transforming healthcare, so will our drive for supporting standards.

We are keeping up the momentum created by our focus group with the Global Initiative on
AI for Health, a partnership of ITU, the World Health Organization, and the World Intellectual
Property Organization.

I extend my gratitude to all the contributors and partners that bring this work to life.

Together, we are laying the groundwork for a future where AI enhances health outcomes for all,
guided by shared standards and commitment to global impact.

Seizo Onoe
Director of the Telecommunication Standardization Bureau
International Telecommunication Union

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