Taiwan is spearheading the global effort for smart healthcare with the launch of three specialized AI centers. These centers aim to address key industry challenges, focusing on crucial "last mile" issues: deployment, certification, and coverage processes. By tackling these areas, Taiwan aims to streamline AI integration in healthcare services, ultimately improving patient outcomes and medical service efficiency.
On October 7, Dr. Ming-Shiang Wu, director of National Taiwan University Hospital (NTUH), emphasized at the launch event that healthcare lags behind other industries in AI adoption due to patient safety concerns, legal complexities, and ethical considerations. He stressed that for successful AI deployment in healthcare, identifying key clinical challenges is essential, and engaging frontline medical staff in development is crucial. Wu also cautioned against repeating the missteps seen in previous AI healthcare projects by companies like Google and IBM.
The Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) has established three new AI centers, each managed by a leading medical institution. Wu will head the Center for Responsible AI Deployment, while Dr. Shih-Ann Chen, director of Taichung Veterans General Hospital, will lead the Center for Clinical AI Certification. Dr. Meng-Ru Shen, president of National Cheng Kung University, will oversee the Center for AI Impact Research.
This initiative aims to develop comprehensive strategies and frameworks for integrating, certifying, and securing funding for medical AI within healthcare facilities. It marks a global first, as Taiwan's medical institutions take a leading role in advancing AI implementation in the healthcare sector.
Wu expressed strong support for Taiwan's pioneering efforts. He noted that while many industries globally are rapidly adopting AI, the healthcare sector has lagged due to its direct impact on patient health and life, alongside significant legal and ethical challenges. Wu emphasized that ensuring quality, safety, and efficacy is paramount in the AI implementation process.
AI represents a groundbreaking technology in the medical sector. While several advanced nations have acknowledged its potential applications, they have yet to fully implement it. Taiwan, however, is taking the lead globally, with the government actively promoting and implementing AI to enhance healthcare effectiveness.
Sixteen hospitals have been selected across Taiwan's northern, central, and southern regions, fostering partnerships between leading medical centers and regional hospitals. Wu stressed that for AI integration in healthcare to succeed, it is crucial for medical institutions to lead the way, including collaborating with healthcare firms to validate AI models and identify key clinical challenges.
Wu referenced Google Health's experience, explaining that although Google is a leading tech firm, its technology-centric approach underestimated the complexities of clinical environments. As a result, many healthcare professionals found the proposed solutions impractical or ineffective, revealing a significant disconnect between engineers and medical practitioners.
For medical AI to succeed, it is vital to involve frontline healthcare professionals from the outset, as their participation greatly enhances the likelihood of success. This is why the three AI centers are actively engaging hospitals at all levels to participate in the initiative.
