STAT+: AMA wades into turbulent debate over AI regulation with new digital health center

Mario Aguilar reports on healthcare technology, including artificial intelligence, virtual reality, wearables, telehealth, and digital therapeutics. His articles delve into how technology is transforming healthcare practices and the associated policy and business hurdles. He is also the co-author of the complimentary, bi-weekly STAT Health Tech newsletter. You can contact Mario via Signal at mariojoze.13.

The American Medical Association (AMA) revealed a new Center for Digital Health and AI on Monday aimed at shaping the utilization and regulation of emerging technologies within healthcare.

This center marks one of the key initiatives from CEO John Whyte, who recently assumed leadership of the physician advocacy organization after spending seven years as chief medical officer at WebMD. Speaking to STAT, Whyte revealed plans to invest millions in the new center and is currently looking for a senior vice president to spearhead the effort.

At the core of the AMA’s view on technology lies the belief that artificial intelligence — which they prefer to refer to as augmented intelligence — should enhance physicians’ roles instead of substituting them.