The Department of Health and Human Services has released an artificial intelligence strategy aimed at expanding AI use across its workforce and modernizing internal operations, research and public health activities.
Here are five things to know about the strategy:
- Led by Clark Minor, HHS’ acting chief artificial intelligence officer, the strategy outlines five pillars: governance and risk management; infrastructure and platform design; workforce development and burden reduction; research and reproducibility; and modernization of care and public health delivery. Mr. Minor said in a Dec. 4 HHS news release the goal is to empower staff and drive innovation across the department.
- The plan fulfills directives from the Trump administration’s AI Action Plan, AI-related executive orders and guidance from the Office of Management and Budget. HHS said the framework is intended to enhance efficiency, foster innovation, improve patient outcomes and “Make America Healthy Again.”
- The “OneHHS” approach invites all HHS divisions—including the CDC, CMS, FDA and NIH—to collaborate on building a robust, departmentwide AI infrastructure, streamlining workflows and enhancing cybersecurity.
- Lawmakers voiced support for the initiative. Rep. Jay Obernolte, R-Calif., chair of the Bipartisan House Task Force on Artificial Intelligence, said the plan emphasizes transparency, risk management, public trust and respect for Americans’ health data. Sen. Todd Young, R-Ind., and Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D., said the strategy reflects a focus on taxpayer value and AI’s potential to strengthen the health system.
- HHS said the strategy represents an initial step focused on improving internal operations and federal use of AI. It will guide future collaboration with private-sector partners to co-create solutions that maximize AI’s potential.
