MITRE and UMass Establish Health AI Assurance Lab

With a $555,000 award from Massachusetts’ Technology & Innovation Ecosystem Awards Program and a private sector match, the MITRE Corporation is collaborating with the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School to establish the Health AI Assurance Laboratory, announced by the MassTech Collaborative on Wednesday.

Why It Matters:

• The lab aims to contribute to emerging national standards for digital health technology evaluation, foster trustworthy and responsible use of health AI, and support commercial applications for healthcare innovators.
• Funds will also facilitate the construction of physical spaces for collaboration, workforce training, and research and development focused on ensuring the safety of health AI products.
• The mission includes creating workforce development opportunities for high school, undergraduate, and post-graduate students seeking to enter the field of AI.

The Larger Trend:

• In March, MITRE launched its first AI Assurance and Discovery Lab in McLean, Virginia, aiming to identify and mitigate critical risks in AI-enabled systems.
• Certification plays a crucial role in responsible AI deployment, with initiatives like the HITRUST AI Assurance Program for healthcare aiming to engage organizations more proactively and efficiently with AI service providers.

On the Record:

• Michael Collins, chancellor of UMass Chan Medical School, expressed the potential for current and future healthcare professionals to guide AI technology for better patient care across communities.
• Doug Robbins, vice president at MITRE, looks forward to sharing AI assurance resources and expertise with the UMass team, aiming to create a national network of AI assurance labs through collaboration.

Reference

1. MassTech Collaborative.