- UMass Chan Medical School and MITRE have partnered to establish an assurance lab for testing healthcare AI technologies.
- Located in Worcester, Massachusetts, the lab aims to enhance health AI safeguards, support startup testing, and boost regional workforce training.
- Supported by a state pledge of $555,000 and matching private sector investments, the lab will utilize a framework developed by MITRE and CHAI for technology evaluation.
- Developers will bring AI-enabled solutions to the lab for assessment, contributing to emerging national standards.
- The lab will also focus on constructing physical spaces for collaboration, workforce training, and R&D on security infrastructure.
- CHAI, with over 1,500 member organizations, promotes best practices in AI testing and supports the establishment of assurance labs.
- The initiative underscores the commitment to fostering an ecosystem conducive to responsible innovation and positioning Massachusetts as a global leader in health AI.
Main AI News:
UMass Chan Medical School and MITRE have unveiled plans to inaugurate an assurance lab aimed at evaluating healthcare artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. Situated at the Mass Chan Medical School in Worcester, Massachusetts, the new research and development center will operate in collaboration with MITRE Corporation, focusing on enhancing health AI safeguards, facilitating startup testing, and bolstering regional workforce training, as per the official announcement.
Backed by a substantial financial commitment from the state totaling $555,000, the health AI assurance lab will receive additional support through the Technology & Innovation Ecosystem Awards Program, managed by the Innovation Institute at the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative. This backing will be supplemented by $137,000 in matching investments from the private sector.
Aligned with a framework devised by MITRE and outlined by the Coalition for Health AI (CHAI), a national consortium, the lab will undertake comprehensive evaluations of technologies. Leveraging state-of-the-art tools, it will establish infrastructure and methodologies for appraising AI-driven solutions within healthcare, according to statements released by the collaborating organizations.
Developers of AI-enabled solutions will undergo assessments of their products’ features and intended applications at the assurance lab, with the aim of fostering dependable and ethical usage. This initiative is anticipated to play a pivotal role in shaping emerging national standards for evaluating digital health technologies, thereby aiding commercial applications for healthcare innovators in the region.
Furthermore, the funds allocated will support the construction of physical spaces conducive to collaboration, workforce training, and research and development activities focused on security infrastructure, ensuring the safety of health AI products prior to their widespread adoption.
Doug Robbins, Vice President at MITRE, highlighted that the AI assurance lab at UMass Chan Medical School represents the initial phase in establishing a nationwide network of AI assurance labs, with plans to interconnect both labs to form part of this broader network.
Launched in the spring of 2022, CHAI boasts a membership exceeding 1,500 organizations, including hospital systems, tech giants, governmental bodies, and advocacy groups. Its primary objective is to promote best practices in testing, deployment, and evaluation of AI systems, while also advocating for the establishment of assurance labs dedicated to scrutinizing and overseeing AI technologies.
The significance of such endeavors is underscored by Patrick Larkin, Director of the Innovation Institute at MassTech and a member of the AI Strategic Taskforce, who emphasized the importance of fostering an ecosystem that provides startups and established companies with the requisite resources and environments to refine their AI-driven solutions safely and effectively.
Secretary Yvonne Hao of the Executive Office of Economic Development and Co-Chair of the state’s AI Strategic Taskforce echoed this sentiment, stressing the commitment to advancing health AI tools to fortify Massachusetts’ standing in healthcare innovation. She highlighted the potential of the Health AI Assurance Laboratory to nurture strategic partnerships, provide career opportunities, and accelerate responsible innovation, positioning Massachusetts as a global leader in health AI.
Conclusion:
The collaboration between UMass Chan Medical School and MITRE to establish a healthcare AI assurance lab signifies a strategic move to strengthen the ecosystem for AI innovation in Massachusetts. By providing a controlled environment for testing and refining AI solutions, supported by both public and private investment, the initiative aims to establish rigorous standards, foster collaboration, and accelerate the development of cutting-edge technologies. This concerted effort not only bolsters the region’s position as a hub for health AI innovation but also contributes to shaping the future landscape of healthcare technology on a national scale.
