Key Things to Know
What is generative AI?
Generative AI refers to a class of AI systems, including large language models like ChatGPT, that have the capability to generate new content.
How can I use generative AI?
Generative AI tools can be used with some limitations, which are explained in our UW Medicine Interim Guidance.
How can I propose a generative AI pilot project?
New uses of generative AI that do not meet the current UW Medicine Interim Guidance must go through an intake and review process.
Generative AI at UW Medicine
Read more from the UW Medicine CEO“UW Medicine has been an international leader in applying new technology to improve the health of the public throughout our history.”
Tim Dellit, MDCEO, UW Medicine
What is Generative AI?
Generative artificial intelligence (generative AI) refers to a class of AI models, like large language models, that have the capability to generate new data, such as text, images or even audio and video. AI excels at pattern recognition while generative AI excels at pattern creation.
In simple terms, generative AI is an advanced computer program that can create new content by learning from examples. For instance, if you give it a lot of stories to read, it can write its own story by understanding the style and structure of what it has learned. And guess what? ChatGPT helped write this paragraph.
But it’s important to learn more before you use it. So check out the online courses offered on LinkedIn Learning. It’s free for everyone at UW and UW Medicine. For more information about generative AI, you can read this Q&A with UW researchers. Or for a deeper dive, download this tutorial: Language Models: A Guide for the Perplexed.
How can I use generative AI?
UW Medicine has released Interim Guidance for Generative AI in the Healthcare Setting to help answer questions about how to use generative AI responsibly. For example, in the document you’ll find that publicly available generative AI tools, such as ChatGPT, are allowed with limitations, including the use of patient, clinical, private and sensitive data, use in clinical care, and validation requirements.
The Interim Guidance will remain in effect until UW Medicine implements a steady state structure for the use of generative AI.
How is UW Medicine guiding the use of generative AI?
We are excited about the possibilities that can be unlocked with generative AI to benefit our employees and patients and help advance our mission to improve health for all people. We are also aware that there are potential privacy, security, bias and accuracy risks when we use these systems in a healthcare setting.
A structure, which includes the GenAI Task Force and its executive sponsors, has been identified to help guide this work with input from UW and UW Medicine leaders across the organization. Read more about the GenAI Task Force’s charge.
The work of the GenAI Task Force is currently in the design phase, which is expected to continue through the end of the year. This phase includes consulting with the UW Task Force on Artificial Intelligence, formed in February 2024, to develop a UW-wide AI strategy and tracking the work of the AI Task Force administered by the Washington State Attorney General’s Office.
Phase I: Assess and Identify
Explore the landscape of uses, applications and risks, and establishing guiding principles and proposing a broad governance approach.
August 2023 – January 2024
Phase II: Design
Design the UW Medicine approach to generative AI in the healthcare setting.
March 2024 – December 2024
Pilot Projects
The GenAI Task Force is responsible for approving and monitoring pilot projects to determine if they meet criteria for broader implementation. Here are a few examples of how generative AI systems may be able to create efficiencies in business operations, advance clinical research and improve patient care.
Pilot Projects |
Description and Pilot Project Team |
| Microsoft Copilot | IT Services is testing the ability of this AI tool in Microsoft Office 365 to efficiently and accurately draft documents, generate meeting summaries or create data visualizations. The trial is for use of the software for nonclinical purposes. |
| Chatbot | The Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology has created their own chatbot using ChatGPT secured locally to allow their staff and faculty to use a large language model for processing protected health information. |
| Augmented Response Technology | UW Medicine IT Services is testing Epic’s Augmented Response Technology’s (ART) ability to draft replies to MyChart messages from patients. |
| Latent | Pharmacy is testing a generative AI system to streamline prior authorizations with their Medication Access Teams. |
| Ambient | While still under consideration, IT Services has proposed a pilot project for a silent assistant, which listens to the provider and patient during a clinic visit and produces clinical notes. |
How can I propose a generative AI pilot project?
We are fortunate to have a breadth of generative AI expertise across UW Medicine and the University of Washington. Collaboration is encouraged to leverage our collective knowledge. If you are engaged in or exploring an application of generative AI that is not permitted under the current Interim Guidance, please connect with the GenAI Task Force by submitting a proposal using the UW Medicine IT New Project Request form (AMC login required). We have partnered with IT Services to forward these proposals to our GenAI Task Force. This interim intake process includes reviews by UW Medicine legal, compliance, information security and other departments, as needed, prior to an approval decision by the GenAI Task Force. Learn how to use the interim intake process.
How AI is unlocking possibilities in healthcare
Learn more about the work happening at UW Medicine and beyond.
New Institute for Medical Data Science
Read MoreQuestions?
If you have questions, ideas or feedback, please email GenAIatUWM@uw.edu.