The German healthcare system is in the midst of a digital revolution. The Corona pandemic, the growing shortage of skilled workers in nursing, and the general demographic change have recently created further dynamics. In this context, the European Leadership Network (ELNET) is now founding the German Israeli Health Forum for Artificial Intelligence (GIHF-AI), thus addressing a key question of our time: the future influence of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (MI) on our medical supplies.
According to a study by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) on AI in the healthcare industry (2017), AI solutions are already being used increasingly in Germany: around 30 percent of German CEOs in the healthcare sector use them for diagnostics, prophylaxis and treatment of diseases or the avoidance of serious illnesses in their company. The responsible and consistent use of AI and ML in the health sector should accordingly be discussed broadly. In line with this, the study commission “Artificial Intelligence – Social Responsibility and Economic, Social and Ecological Potential” of the German Bundestag recently published its final report.
A look at Israel confirms: AI can improve people’s health and fight disease. The digitization of the healthcare system began here around 20 years ago. The healthcare industry is one of the leading users of AI today. Over 500 Israeli startups offer innovative technological products and services for the health system. Clear protective precautions are taken to ensure privacy, information security and restricted access.
GIHF-AI will build on these findings. The program will initially be funded by the Federal Ministry of Health (BMG) for three years. The focus is on central questions of the digitization of the healthcare system with a focus on the application of AI and ML. In the context of round tables and annual conferences as well as regular publications, GIHF-AI will consider approaches and instruments in three areas and formulate solutions: communication and trust, regulation and technology and security. The dialogue formats are aimed at German and Israeli experts in politics, administration, doctors and patients as well as science and business. The results are published and made available to political decision-makers as recommendations for action.
Carsten Ovens, Executive Director of ELNET Germany: “The digitization of our healthcare system is one of the central challenges of our time. The use of artificial intelligence offers enormous opportunities for improving general health. Germany and Israel can learn a lot from each other and shape the future together. ELNET has been connecting Europe and Israel since 2007. With GIHF-AI we are opening a new chapter and strengthening the cooperation between Germany and Israel on innovative technologies.”
The official start of the program will be marked by a kick-off event on October 28th with keynotes by Jens Spahn MdB, Federal Minister of Health, and his Israeli colleague, Health Minister Nitzan Horowitz. From 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., the various aspects of GIHF-AI will be discussed on three top-class panels in Berlin.
