Health Systems Get AI Governance Playbook From Industry Coalition
The Coalition for Health AI released governance guidance this week designed to help health systems deploy artificial intelligence tools safely. The resources include playbooks on setting up AI oversight structures, managing third-party developers, and assessing risks before implementation.
CHAI developed the guidance through workshops and work groups involving more than 150 clinicians and health AI leaders. The framework is intentionally flexible to work across health systems of different sizes and resource levels.
What the Guidance Covers
The playbooks address eight critical elements for deploying AI for Healthcare at the organizational level:
- Creating governance committees and oversight structures
- Building frameworks to assess AI tools before adoption
- Ensuring adequate cybersecurity infrastructure
- Establishing performance monitoring systems
CHAI, founded in 2021, represents more than 3,000 organizations including health systems, startups, and patient advocacy groups. The coalition previously released a "model card" template that documents an AI model's intended use and potential risks, along with responsible AI guidance developed with the Joint Commission.
The Governance Gap
The timing reflects a real problem in healthcare settings. A physician survey published this spring by Doximity found that only 8% of doctors said the AI decision-making process at their organization was clear, and that they understood policies and guidelines.
AI use in healthcare is accelerating across medical research, patient documentation, and data analysis. But governance structures have not kept pace.
Federal oversight remains limited. The Trump administration has pursued a deregulatory approach to AI adoption. Government officials previously criticized CHAI, arguing the coalition's standards would restrict health technology startups and ultimately harm patient outcomes.
CHAI plans to expand the playbooks to other healthcare sectors, including payers, and will continue gathering feedback as AI governance evolves.
Your membership also unlocks:
