The Department of Veterans Affairs and the Food and Drug Administration have agreed to jointly develop a virtual laboratory where promising healthcare tools powered by artificial intelligence can be tested and evaluated, Nextgov/FCW reported Wednesday.
Speaking at the Veterans Health Administration Innovation Experience conference, VA Undersecretary for Health Shereef Elnahal announced the partnership, noting that the interagency testing lab will provide selected parties a safe and secure location to prove their technologies in accordance with the October 2023 executive order promoting the responsible adoption and use of new AI capabilities.
Elnahal said the virtual environment will ensure that AI technologies are safe and effective for veterans and patients and adhere to trustworthy AI principles.
The VA and the FDA are now preparing to establish the virtual proving ground, which is expected to be completed in six months.
According to FDA Commissioner Robert Califf, the testing lab will be the first intergovernmental health AI laboratory, adding that it will support the development of approaches for assessing safety and performance metrics of AI-enabled healthcare products.
Engage with industry luminaries, thought leaders and experts at the 2024 Healthcare Summit on Dec. 11 as they delve into critical issues such as the rise of artificial intelligence.
