Being human in the time of neuroscience and artificial intelligence involve carefully exploring the nexuses of complexity where valid ideas are nevertheless in tension, manifesting subtleties and challenges that must not be overlooked. Each page expresses the existing tension(s) between ideas and within each theme, which emerged in the collective discussions, and are then complemented by insights from NHNAI network researchers.

Complexity on Health #7: Regulating technologies without stifling medical innovation

Innovation could be hampered by overly rigid regulation, and patient safety compromised by overly lax regulation. So how do we strike the right balance between encouraging innovation and protecting patients?

The following ideas can be found in the global and local syntheses downloadable here

  • (Global – Health) Recognizing patients in their singularity and diversity (within a comprehensive approach)
  • (Global – Health) Regulating AI and health technologies in healthcare
  • (Global – Health) Being aware of challenges regulation raises
Insights from NHNAI academic network:

Because of the stakes involved in terms of safety, efficacy and ethical use, it is imperative that innovation in AI and healthcare technologies is accompanied by sound regulatory frameworks. The healthcare sector is therefore expected to be able to bridge the gap between innovation and regulation. Excessive regulation, however, could have the effect of stifling innovation, discouraging investment in new technologies, and slowing the development of life-saving advances. Faced with a rapidly changing healthcare technology landscape, it is thus crucial to develop a balanced regulatory approach that is both flexible and adaptable. Some adaptive regulatory models have been proposed by researchers, in which technological development and oversight evolve simultaneously, allowing room for innovation without affecting accountability. In this way, we can hope to avoid the twin pitfalls of impeding progress, or under-protecting patients in the face of certain potential harms (Bouderhem, 2024; Zhou & Gattinger, 2024).

Academic References:

  • Bouderhem, R. (2024). Shaping the future of AI in healthcare through ethics and governance. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 11(416).
  • Zhou, K., & Gattinger, G. (2024). The Evolving Regulatory Paradigm of AI in MedTech: A Review of Perspectives and Where We Are Today. Therapeutic Innovation & Regulatory Science, 58(456–464).