Record STMT-M013Advisory

Ethics and governance of artificial intelligence for health

Guidelines International lawGlobalin force

This World Health Organization guidance document outlines the ethics and governance of artificial intelligence in the health sector. Developed through expert deliberation, it identifies ethical challenges and risks while establishing six consensus principles and a set of recommendations to ensure AI technologies benefit public health globally.

Summary and content fields are drawn from the document text and are pending editorial review.

Who issued it

World Health OrganizationIntergovernmental

Lead issuer

Legal forceAdvisory

Under whose authorityInternational law

Judged fromfull text

Who it governs

National governmentGeneral publicPublic sector bodiesCompaniesAI developers and providersAI deployers and usersProfessional groupResearchers and academicsInternational community

This document is for policymakers, health professionals, AI developers, and researchers seeking guidance on the ethical design and deployment of AI in health.

Sectors

Healthcare · healthResearch and science · health research

What the document contains

What's covered

The document addresses the ethical challenges, risks, consensus principles, and governance recommendations regarding the application of artificial intelligence in healthcare, research, and public health functions.

What's missing

Specific legal enforcement mechanisms or binding international treaties are not detailed in the provided text.

Key takeaways

Artificial intelligence holds great promise for improving diagnosis, treatment, health research, and public health functions.
Ethics and human rights must be placed at the heart of the design, deployment, and use of health AI technologies.
The report identifies specific ethical challenges and risks associated with using artificial intelligence in healthcare.
Six consensus principles are established to ensure that AI works for the public benefit of all countries.
Recommendations are provided to hold both public and private sector stakeholders accountable to healthcare workers and affected communities.

Outline

· Overview
· Identification of ethical challenges and risks
· Six consensus principles for AI in health
· Recommendations for governance and stakeholder accountability

Issued28 June 2021

Length633 words

FormatNot recorded

Scopeglobal

How it scores

Pending review

Each score is backed by a quote verified against the document text. Editorial review has not yet confirmed them.

Accountability

3/5

Clear responsibility for AI outcomes

holds all stakeholders – in the public and private sector – accountable and responsive to the healthcare workers

Overview

screening score · 2026-10-23

Fairness

0/5

Non-discrimination and equitable treatment

screening score · 2026-10-23

Human Dignity

3/5

Respect for the inherent worth of persons

must put ethics and human rights at the heart of its design, deployment, and use.

Overview

screening score · 2026-10-23

Human Oversight

0/5

Humans remain in control of consequential decisions

screening score · 2026-10-23

Privacy

0/5

Protection of personal data and private life

screening score · 2026-10-23

Transparency

0/5

Openness about how AI systems work and are used

screening score · 2026-10-23

Enforcement

0/5

Consequences and compliance mechanisms with real force

screening score · 2026-10-23

Impact Assessment

3/5

Required assessment of an AI system's risks/impacts before or during use

The report identifies the ethical challenges and risks with the use of artificial intelligence of health, six consensus principles to ensure AI works to the public benefit of all countries.

Overview

screening score · 2026-10-23

Topics

artificial_intelligence health_ethics digital_health public_health governance