AI becomes a non-starter in healthcare if there is inherent distrust in its use: Ong Ye Kung
Health Minister Ong Ye Kung warned that AI in healthcare is doomed to fail if there is inherent distrust, requiring patient consent for even anonymized data. Speaking in Parliament, Ong highlighted the Singapore Medical Foundation AI Model (SIMFONI), which aims to improve diagnoses for conditions like diabetes, high cholesterol, and eye diseases.
SIMFONI addresses the lack of relevant data in Singapore's healthcare system by using local data, but with necessary precautions, such as de-identifying and anonymizing information. Ong emphasized the importance of balancing AI's potential benefits against potential risks, including data leaks and automation bias. He urged clinicians to be judicious and thoughtful in integrating AI into existing systems and workflows to ensure the final judgment remains with human professionals. Ong also stressed that AI deployment must consider local contexts and medical protocols.
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