Buckeye Reporter

In Columbus, Ohio, The Buckeye Institute has released a policy brief titled "Advancing Healthcare Technology". The brief calls for the establishment of a "regulatory sandbox" to support AI innovators in developing medical technologies within a safe and adaptive regulatory framework. The goal is to reduce costs and administrative burdens.

Rea S. Hederman Jr., executive director of the Economic Research Center and vice president of policy at The Buckeye Institute, emphasized the benefits of such an initiative. He stated, "An AI healthcare sandbox will build trust between regulators, developers, care providers, and the patients they serve, and move Ohio to the fore of the healthcare technology field." Adding, "This win-win scenario fosters faster, cost-effective innovation for improving patient health safely and, as AI yields efficiencies in diagnostics, data management, and research, doctors and nurses will have more time to interact directly with patients."

The concept of an AI healthcare sandbox is explained as a collaborative platform where healthcare providers, AI developers, and policymakers can effectively test new technologies. These innovations could span drug development, medical imaging, disease diagnosis, gene therapy, and health data management, all while minimizing costs and reducing bureaucratic obstacles.

The brief details five key features of an effective AI healthcare regulatory sandbox:

1. Instructive: It should provide clear guidelines and long-term regulatory navigation support.

2. Voluntary: Participants should have the choice and freedom to participate or not.

3. Secure: It must protect patient information while allowing AI technologies to analyze data for insights.

4. Impartial: Ensures trust and fairness by preventing regulatory bias.

5. Coordinated: Aims to align with other states to facilitate broader adoption and innovation in AI-driven solutions.