At the beginning of 2024, the World Health Organization (WHO) published a crucial document titled "Ethics and Governance of Artificial Intelligence for Health: Guidance on Large Multi-Modal Models." This guide is not only necessary but also extremely relevant for understanding the critical aspects of artificial intelligence (AI) and Large Language Models (LLMs) in a world where these terms are frequently used but often misunderstood. The guide elucidates what these technologies entail, their implications, and, importantly, the risks of considering such technology as a panacea for all challenges in the health sector.
We will publish a chapter of this guide each week. The first chapter, "Applications, Challenges, and Risks of LMMs," discusses Applications and Challenges in Health, Risks to Health Systems and Society, and Ethical Concerns about the Use of LMMs. The guide emphasizes that AI and its algorithms should be viewed as tools for assistance and support in decision-making, not as replacements.