Healthcare Artificial Intelligence (AI) & Tackling Climate Disasters

Welcome to this month's newsletter! Today we are exploring the cutting-edge advancements in healthcare AI and delve into the pressing issue of climate change. In this issue, we bring you two thought-provoking articles that highlight the transformative potential of AI in healthcare and the urgent need for collective action to address climate disasters.

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WHO's Guidance on Large Multi-Modal Models: Shaping the Future of Healthcare AI

The World Health Organization (WHO) (WHO) has taken a significant step in shaping the future of healthcare Artificial Intelligence (AI) by releasing new guidance on the ethics and governance of Large Multi-Modal Models (LMMs). This cutting-edge AI technology is revolutionizing healthcare worldwide, and the WHO's recommendations aim to ensure its responsible and impactful use.?

Highlighted Key Points:

• Innovative Recommendations: The WHO presents over 40 recommendations for governments, tech companies, and healthcare providers to foster the ethical and effective deployment of LMMs in healthcare.
• Versatile Technology: LMMs stand out for their ability to accept diverse data inputs, including text, videos, and images, and generate varied outputs that mimic human communication and perform tasks beyond explicit programming.
• Balancing Potential and Risks: While LMMs hold immense promise for improving healthcare outcomes, they also pose risks such as inaccuracies, biases, and cybersecurity vulnerabilities.
• Stakeholder Engagement: The WHO emphasizes the crucial role of governments, tech firms, healthcare providers, patients, and civil society in the development, oversight, and regulation of LMMs.

Highlighted Recommendations for Governments:

• Public Infrastructure Investment: Governments should invest in public infrastructure to support LMM research and development, ensuring equitable access to this transformative technology.
• Ethical Obligations: Enact laws that establish ethical obligations for LMM developers and users, promoting transparency, accountability, and responsible innovation.
• Regulatory Agencies: Assign regulatory agencies with the responsibility of assessing LMMs before their deployment, ensuring compliance with ethical and safety standards.
• Post-Release Auditing: Mandate post-release auditing of LMMs to monitor their performance, identify unintended consequences, and make necessary adjustments.

Highlighted Recommendations for Developers:

• Stakeholder Engagement: Engage diverse stakeholders, including healthcare professionals, patients, and ethicists, in transparent design processes to ensure that LMMs address real-world needs and concerns.
• Accuracy and Reliability: Prioritize task accuracy and reliability by employing rigorous testing and validation methods.
• Anticipate Secondary Outcomes: Consider the potential secondary outcomes and unintended consequences of LMMs and take steps to mitigate any negative impacts.

The WHO's guidance on LMMs in healthcare AI sets the stage for a future where this technology is used ethically, equitably, and impactfully. By fostering collaboration among stakeholders and implementing robust governance frameworks, we can harness the full potential of LMMs to revolutionize healthcare and improve the lives of people worldwide.

This is a longer version of my LinkedIn post this past Monday & here is link to the WHO report: https://lnkd.in/ea7Kv4bs

Tackling Climate Disasters: A Call for Solidarity and Sustainable Solutions

As the world grapples with the escalating frequency and intensity of climate disasters, the need for urgent action has never been more pressing. From devastating winter storms in America to rising flood risks for U.S. properties, the impacts are undeniable. A recent The Washington Post article and United Nations report underscore the significant adaptation finance gap, highlighting the urgent need for increased investments in severe weather mitigation (more can be found here).

Addressing the Adaptation Finance Gap: The adaptation finance gap, estimated at $194 to 366 billion per year globally, presents a formidable challenge. Developing nations, despite contributing the least to climate change, bear the brunt of its consequences. This stark reality demands a collective response, one that goes beyond mere financial commitments and embraces solidarity and shared responsibility.

Conference on Disasters and Politics: Against this backdrop, the past conference on Disasters and Politics in the City of New Orleans that I went - emphasized the importance of acknowledging disaster impacts and equity while actively working towards solutions. This conference provided an opportunity and forum for experts, policymakers, and stakeholders to engage in meaningful discussions and advocate for more inclusive and sustainable approaches.

Beyond Financial Commitments: The discourse at conferences like these extends beyond financial commitments. It's about fostering solidarity and shared responsibility, underscoring the need for perseverance and innovative solutions. Every dollar invested in protecting communities from climate disasters is an investment in our shared future.

Collaboration and Action: The conference in New Orleans serves as a catalyst for change, bringing together diverse perspectives and expertise to collectively pave the way for a resilient and sustainable future. By translating ideas into actions, we can work together to address the climate adaptation gap and build a more sustainable planet.

The climate crisis demands urgent action, and the Conference on Disasters and Politics provides a crucial platform to drive meaningful change. The conversations that I had at the conference gave hope for additional advocacy for solidarity, shared responsibility, and innovative solutions, ensuring a resilient and sustainable future for all.

IT IS NOT TOO LATE! The Journal of Emergency Management will have a special issue led by me! The title of the special issue is: Leaving Nobody Behind: Emergency Management in an Inclusive Way.

For information about submitting your work and sponsorship queries (to make the entire issue open access), here are further details: https://wmpllc.org/ojs/index.php/jem/lnb

Deadline - Feb 15, 2024!

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