Earlier this month, PBSCI Chair Jürgen Unützer, MD, MPH, MA hosted a kickoff meeting for the department’s new AI Advisory Council. The group’s discussion explored AI applications and opportunities for the department, focusing on three primary categories including operational efficiencies, clinical assessment and treatment planning, and AI applications in educational settings. They also discussed potential risks such as patient privacy concerns, increased productivity expectations, and the need for careful implementation to avoid bias and harm, particularly for vulnerable populations.
 
The group talked about the value of outlining guiding principles and a strategic vision for the use of AI in our department. They also discussed potential partnerships with industry, other units at UW, professional organizations, and other potential collaborators.
 
More than 20 people have expressed interest in the work of the AI Council and the next step will be to organize a half-day planning retreat with the full group to further develop these opportunities and hammer out a number of related projects that we would like to pursue as a department. The retreat will likely take place late this summer or early in the fall. Reach out to Jed Thompson at jedthom@uw.edu if you would like to be included in this effort.