Abu Dhabi publishes framework for AI systems performing clinical activities

Department of Health – Abu Dhabi has published a regulatory framework setting out how artificial intelligence (AI) clinician systems could be authorised to perform clinical activities that would otherwise require a licensed clinician.

Announced on 21 October at the Abu Dhabi Future Health Summit, the AI Clinician Framework establishes a basis for future policies governing the research, evaluation and potential use of these systems in the emirate.

Under the framework, an AI system’s competence will be assessed against the specific clinical activities it is intended to perform. Systems proposed for a broader range of clinical activities will need to provide stronger evidence of competence before being considered for authorisation.

The framework also requires safeguards across all levels of clinical scope, including physician oversight, accountability and referral to a physician when necessary.

Further policies and supporting standards will specify which clinical activities AI clinician systems could be authorised to perform, the evidence required at each stage and the thresholds used to evaluate their performance.

The initiative forms part of the department’s broader strategy for AI-enabled healthcare innovation. Research will take place within Abu Dhabi’s “living lab” model, which uses integrated health infrastructure and established clinical research pathways to evaluate emerging technologies.

The framework is intended to provide a regulatory basis for studying the potential role of AI systems in clinical care. The department’s future policies will determine the activities these systems may be permitted to undertake and the evidence required before any authorisation is granted.