HHS Unveils Ambitious AI Strategy for Health Care Transformation

Fri Dec 05 2025 10:57:20 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) reveals a new strategy aimed at harnessing artificial intelligence to improve healthcare operations, promising innovation alongside privacy concerns.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is rolling out an ambitious strategy to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) into its operations, enhancing healthcare delivery and efficiency. This plan, described as a 'first step,' aims to coordinate AI usage across the department, with goals like improving patient data analysis and accelerating drug development. However, experts raise concerns over data privacy and the challenges of safeguarding sensitive health information as the department moves forward with this technological embrace.

NEW YORK (AP) — The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has announced a strategic plan to expand its use of artificial intelligence, emphasizing efficiency and innovative approaches in healthcare amidst ongoing concerns about privacy.

This strategy is positioned as a 'first step' to break free from bureaucratic limitations, encouraging staff to leverage AI for increased productivity. Deputy HHS Secretary Jim O’Neill emphasized the importance of this initiative, aiming to 'Make America Healthy Again' through tech advancements.

The plan identifies five key pillars for implementing AI, including governance structures to manage risks, and creating focused AI resources for the department. However, experts caution that the integration of AI must be approached carefully, especially when handling sensitive patient data, which has been a point of contention in the past. For instance, the HHS has faced backlash for its previous handling of health data.

Despite the promise for a modernized agency, concerns loom regarding the safety and ethical implications of AI deployment in healthcare. The strategy aims to implement over 271 AI initiatives by 2025, raising both expectations and the stakes for ensuring patient data privacy.