NEW YORK — The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) revealed a new strategy Thursday aimed at integrating artificial intelligence into its operations, building on previous efforts from the Trump administration while addressing critical questions surrounding the protection of health information.
HHS described the plan as a “first step” toward enhancing operational efficiency and unifying AI adoption across its segments. The 20-page document hints at broader ambitions for AI innovation, particularly in analyzing patient health data and streamlining drug development processes.
“For too long, our Department has been bogged down by bureaucracy and busy-work,” said Deputy HHS Secretary Jim O’Neill in the opening of the strategy. “It is time to tear down these barriers to progress and unite in our use of technology to Make America Healthy Again.”
The new strategy reflects a growing trend within federal agencies under the Trump administration to embrace AI, with emphasis on utilizing chatbots and AI tools for daily tasks. Empirical evidence shows a significant advancement in AI technologies since President Joe Biden took office, leading to an executive order that established usage guardrails. In stark contrast, President Trump had repealed earlier restrictions, aiming to facilitate the broader application of AI within the government.
Experts have pointed out that while the drive to modernize HHS operations presents opportunities, it also poses significant risks. Some have raised concerns about the handling of sensitive data under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., questioning whether adequate protections for personal information will be upheld.
“The HHS strategy lays out ambitious goals — centralized data infrastructure, rapid deployment of AI tools, and an AI-enabled workforce — but ambition brings risk with the most sensitive data Americans have: their health information,” warned Oren Etzioni, AI expert and founder of a nonprofit combating political deepfakes.
The strategy emphasizes a culture of 'try-first' to boost productivity via AI. HHS plans to pilot tools such as ChatGPT, empowering employees to enhance their capabilities.
Key Components of HHS’s AI Strategy
The document outlines five principal pillars: establishing a governance structure to manage risk, creating versatile AI resources, empowering employees with AI tools, funding standard-setting programs in research and development, and integrating AI throughout public health and patient care.
Notably, the strategy claims that HHS divisions already deploy AI tools to provide context-aware health guidance to patients by securely interpreting their medical records.
Privacy Concerns and Future Prospects
Experts like Darrell West from the Brookings Institution have emphasized the need for clarity on how sensitive medical data will be handled. “There are a lot of unanswered questions about handling sensitive medical information and the transfer of data used by AI tools,” he expressed.
The strategy indicates HHS has 271 active or planned AI projects within the fiscal year 2024, projecting a 70% increase for 2025. While excitement mounts for potential efficiencies and innovations, the balancing act between leveraging data and protecting patient privacy remains an urgent issue.
