Quick Read:
- New generative artificial intelligence tools, such as ChatGPT, have tremendous potential for UW Medicine.
- These tools also have risks that must be evaluated and addressed responsibly prior to use.
- UW Medicine is developing an infrastructure and policies for generative AI in the healthcare setting. Please refer to our interim guidance for answers to questions about approved uses, important restrictions and resources for additional direction.
In the last year, we have seen a lively national discussion about the potential applications for generative artificial intelligence (AI) and large language models, such as ChatGPT, in every industry, including healthcare. Simply defined, this new form of AI has the capability to generate content that appears relevant, fluent and plausible based on the patterns learned from vast amounts of training data.
We know that there is significant interest in using generative AI tools across UW Medicine. With their advanced ability to create text, images and other media in response to queries, they have tremendous potential to support our goals and ability to improve the patient experience; provide high quality, equitable care; reduce administrative burdens on our faculty, staff and trainees; achieve long-term financial stability; and advance groundbreaking clinical research. We must also recognize that these tools have risks that must be evaluated and addressed responsibly prior to use.
Last August, I charged a group of leaders, including experts from a variety of disciplines across UW Medicine, to develop the foundation for our future institutional approach to the use of generative AI in healthcare. The members of this group developed principles to guide our work in this area, surveyed a variety of applications in the clinical setting (such as ambient listening and note generation, translation functionality, and generation of drafts responding to patient inquiries in MyChart), developed an overview of the unique considerations and risks these types of systems raise in the healthcare setting, and provided a roadmap for a long-term approach to governance. The group has completed its work, and I have accepted their recommendations, which will guide the next phase of our work. I encourage you to review their detailed report and recommendations.
Interim Guidance: In the coming months, we will develop the key building blocks of a successful generative AI program, which includes strategy, policy, leadership, governing structure, operational workflows (including risk assessment), and a communication and education plan to engage the UW Medicine community, the patients we serve and other key groups. While we are developing a formal policy, please refer to our UW Medicine Interim Guidance for answers to questions about approved uses, important restrictions and resources for additional direction.
UW Medicine has been an international leader in applying new technology to improve the health of the public throughout our history. I look forward to exploring this new frontier and its potential with you in a responsible, coordinated and strategic manner.
Sincerely,
Timothy H. Dellit, MD
Chief Executive Officer, UW Medicine
Executive Vice President for Medical Affairs and
Paul G. Ramsey Endowed Dean of the School of Medicine,
University of Washington
