A rapid report from the Prime Minister’s Chief Science Advisor Kaitohutohu Mātanga Pūtaiao Matua ki te Pirimia
"Employing AI technologies in healthcare has far-reaching impacts. There are ways in which these technologies could enhance the healthcare system very soon, for example improving back-office operations or diagnostic support. The case studies featured in this report offer a glimpse of current and near-future capabilities to start a conversation about how to introduce AI to our healthcare system.
Deploying the right AI technology has the potential to address some long-standing inequities in healthcare that will have positive impacts felt more widely than the healthcare system itself. Coupled with these opportunities are a series of complex ethical and legal issues. We understand that key health agencies are already planning work programmes which will go beyond the issues touched on in this report to ensure that AI is deployed effectively and safely in the health system. It is our hope that this report might support robust discussion amongst policy writers and decision makers to consider the best path to enable technology to support human care."