Title: Artificial Intelligence Consortium AIM-AHEAD Accelerating Health Equity and Researcher Diversity
Subtitle: National Institutes of Health Revolutionizes Data-Driven Decision-Making
The COVID-19 pandemic brought the intrinsic link between big data analytics and public health into the public consciousness. People eagerly shared hospitalization rates, infection and death statistics, and various data metrics that provided a tangible connection to the widespread pandemic. Yet, healthcare professionals assert that analytics and data-driven decision-making have been fundamental to the healthcare industry long before the age of computing.
In a recent GovFuture podcast, Dr. Susan Gregurick, Associate Director for Data Science and Director of the Office of Data Science Strategy at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), shed light on how the NIH leverages advanced analytics to drive data-driven decision-making. She also discussed the unique challenges the NIH faces regarding data privacy and security when harnessing advanced analytics.
As part of her role, Dr. Gregurick oversees the implementation of the NIH strategic plan for data science. This plan aims to seize emerging opportunities in data science across the NIH’s 27 institutes and centers by prioritizing data interoperability, platform interoperability, data accessibility, data standards and standardization, and data reuse. Additionally, the NIH aims to establish policies related to privacy, ethics, data sovereignty, diversity, equity, inclusivity, and accessibility.
Dr. Gregurick expressed her excitement about the recent advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and generative AI, emphasizing their role in speeding up scientific discoveries and delivering effective treatments and cures. The ethical use of advanced analytic technology, such as AI, is a priority for the NIH.
She discussed a new program known as the Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning Consortium to Advance Health Equity and Researcher Diversity (AIM-AHEAD). This program collaborates with researchers and institutions nationwide, enhancing their participation in AI model development and improving their capacity to leverage this emerging technology. AIM-AHEAD prioritizes recruiting new students and scholars, funding cutting-edge programs, and making a significant impact in AI models and the AI community.
Dr. Gregurick highlighted the role of AI in accelerating diagnostic and treatment capabilities, citing a recent example where AI enabled the quick sequencing of an infant’s entire genome, facilitating the identification of a rare genetic disorder within five minutes. This breakthrough enhances the capacity to develop tailored therapeutics promptly, thereby significantly benefiting infants born with rare genetic disorders.
While AI offers immense potential, it raises concerns about privacy, ethics, and data security. Dr. Gregurick acknowledged the challenges faced by agencies like the NIH, which manages health data and must ensure privacy and security while accessing complex data sets. To address this, the NIH has standardized the process for researchers to gain access to controlled access data repositories through the Research Health Services (RHS). RHS provides a single sign-on capability, simplifying access and streamlining data breach and security tracking across repositories.
In addition to the GovFuture podcast, Dr. Gregurick participated as a panelist at the GovFuture Forum DC event at George Mason University, where she elaborated on the adoption of AI and advanced analytics.
The NIH’s AI Consortium AIM-AHEAD stands at the forefront of leveraging advanced analytics to advance health equity and promote researcher diversity. By prioritizing ethical use, recruiting new talent, and augmenting AI capabilities, the NIH aims to unlock groundbreaking discoveries and drive the timely delivery of personalized care. With standardized access to controlled data repositories, the NIH tackles the challenges of privacy and security, ensuring that data-driven decision-making remains at the forefront of healthcare advancements.
