COPENHAGEN: The World Health Organization’s European branch has warned that stronger legal and ethical safeguards are urgently needed as artificial intelligence becomes increasingly integrated into healthcare systems.
A new report based on responses from 50 of 53 member states revealed that only four countries have adopted a dedicated national AI health strategy, with seven others currently developing one.
“We stand at a fork in the road,” said Natasha Azzopardi-Muscat, WHO Europe’s director of health systems.
“Either AI will be used to improve people’s health and well-being, reduce the burden on our exhausted health workers and bring down healthcare costs, or it could undermine patient safety, compromise privacy and entrench inequalities in care.”
The report found nearly two-thirds of countries in the region already use AI-assisted diagnostics, particularly in medical imaging and detection.
Half of the countries have implemented AI chatbots for patient engagement and support services.
WHO officials identified several potential risks requiring attention, including biased or low-quality outputs, automation bias, erosion of clinician skills, reduced clinician-patient interaction and inequitable outcomes for marginalised populations.
Regulation is struggling to keep pace with technological advancements, with 86% of member states citing legal uncertainty as the primary barrier to AI adoption.
“Without clear legal standards, clinicians may be reluctant to rely on AI tools and patients may have no clear path for recourse if something goes wrong,” said David Novillo Ortiz, WHO’s regional advisor on data, artificial intelligence and digital health.
The organisation recommended that countries clarify accountability frameworks and establish redress mechanisms for harm.
They also urged ensuring AI systems undergo thorough testing for safety, fairness and real-world effectiveness before reaching patients.
