High-Level Focus Group on AI in Healthcare (ITES × HCI)
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HealthCare Innovation (HCI) participated in a high‑level focus group hosted by the Institut Tunisien des Etudes Stratégiques (ITES), dedicated to the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in Tunisia’s health system. The discussion gathered experts in health, IT, data science, and ethics from the public and private sectors to chart a responsible path to AI adoption.
Why This Matters for Tunisia
AI can improve access, quality, and efficiency—if deployed with robust governance. The WHO Global Strategy on Digital Health (2020–2025) emphasizes governance, standards, and workforce skills, while OECD analyses highlight scale‑up frictions that can be addressed by clear national strategies and interoperability.
Key Takeaways from the ITES Focus Group
- Center patients and clinicians in AI design; use problem‑driven use cases (triage, imaging support, workflow automation).
- Establish governance for data quality, privacy, and security; align with GDPR‑like safeguards and national norms.
- Build capacity: continuous training for clinicians, data scientists, and administrators in AI and data literacy.
- Pilot, then scale: start with limited pilots in university hospitals; measure outcomes and iterate.
- Foster collaboration among
ITES, HCI, universities, hospitals, and startups to accelerate safe adoption.
HCI Contributions to the Dialogue
- Ecosystem lens: connecting startups, clinicians, and regulators to move from pilots to adoption.
- Support services: regulatory guidance and validation pathways for AI‑enabled solutions.
- Euro‑Med collaboration: leveraging cross‑border expertise and funding opportunities to scale responsibly.
Next Steps Proposed with ITES
- Co‑draft a practical roadmap with ITES on governance, standards, and priority use cases for AI in healthcare.
- Launch hospital‑level pilots with measurable outcomes and privacy‑by‑design.
- Build a training track (clinicians, data stewards, administrators) with micro‑credentials in responsible AI.
HCI Resources
Accelerating Innovation in HealthTech → https://healthcareinnovation.tn/accelerating-innovation-in-healthtech/
Startup Programs → https://healthcareinnovation.tn/service/startups/
Pharma & Medical Device Regulatory Services → https://healthcareinnovation.tn/service/pharma-medical-device/
Experts Network → https://healthcareinnovation.tn/experts/
Community Overview → https://healthcareinnovation.tn/community/
External Citations
WHO — Global Strategy on Digital Health (2020–2025): https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240068891
OECD — Digital Health Overview: https://www.oecd.org/health/digital-health.htm
FAQ
Q: Who organized the focus group?
A: The Institut Tunisien des Etudes Stratégiques (ITES), with participation from HealthCare Innovation (HCI) and multidisciplinary experts.
Q: What themes were discussed?
A: Responsible AI adoption, data governance, privacy and security, workforce training, and hospital‑level pilots.
Q: How can stakeholders get involved?
A: Explore HCI’s Startup Programs, connect with ITES, and join HCI’s Experts Network to co‑design pilots.
