WHO Names New Centre for AI in Health Governance

Published Date : 09/03/2025 

The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced the designation of the Digital Ethics Centre at Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands as a WHO Collaborating Centre. This new centre will focus on the ethical and effective use of artificial intelligence (AI) in health governance. 

The World Health Organization (WHO) has taken a significant step forward in the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into global health governance by designating the Digital Ethics Centre at Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands as a new WHO Collaborating Centre. This move underscores the growing importance of AI in addressing complex health challenges and ensuring ethical standards in its application.

The Digital Ethics Centre, known for its pioneering research in digital ethics and the responsible use of technology, will play a crucial role in shaping the future of AI in healthcare. As a WHO Collaborating Centre, it will focus on developing guidelines, conducting research, and providing training to ensure that AI technologies are used ethically and effectively in health governance.

Artificial intelligence has the potential to revolutionize healthcare by improving diagnostics, personalizing treatments, and enhancing public health surveillance. However, the rapid development and deployment of AI also raise significant ethical concerns, including issues of privacy, bias, and accountability. The new collaborating centre will work to address these challenges by collaborating with other WHO partners, governments, and industry stakeholders.

Delft University of Technology, one of the leading institutions in the Netherlands, has a strong track record in interdisciplinary research and innovation. The Digital Ethics Centre, in particular, has been at the forefront of exploring the ethical implications of digital technologies, making it an ideal partner for the WHO.

Professor Jan van den Berg, Director of the Digital Ethics Centre, expressed enthusiasm about the designation, stating, “We are honored to be recognized by the WHO as a Collaborating Centre. This partnership will enable us to leverage our expertise in digital ethics to contribute to global health governance. Our goal is to ensure that AI technologies are developed and deployed in a way that benefits everyone and respects human rights.”

The WHO Collaborating Centre will focus on several key areas, including:

1. **Ethical Guidelines and Standards:** Developing ethical guidelines and standards for the use of AI in healthcare to ensure that technologies are developed and deployed responsibly.

2. **Research and Innovation:** Conducting cutting-edge research to explore the potential and limitations of AI in healthcare, addressing ethical and social implications.

3. **Capacity Building:** Providing training and capacity-building programs for health professionals and policymakers to enhance their understanding and use of AI technologies.

4. **Global Collaboration:** Facilitating collaboration between governments, industry, and academia to promote the ethical and effective use of AI in healthcare.

The designation of the Digital Ethics Centre as a WHO Collaborating Centre is part of the WHO’s broader strategy to harness the benefits of digital health while mitigating its risks. This strategy includes initiatives such as the WHO Global Strategy on Digital Health 2020-2025, which aims to leverage digital technologies to improve health outcomes and achieve universal health coverage.

Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the WHO, emphasized the importance of the new centre, saying, “AI has the potential to transform healthcare, but it is essential that we approach its development and deployment with a strong ethical framework. The Digital Ethics Centre at Delft University of Technology will play a vital role in ensuring that AI is used to benefit all people, leaving no one behind.”

As the world continues to grapple with the complex challenges of global health, the collaboration between the WHO and the Digital Ethics Centre represents a significant step towards a more equitable and ethically sound future for healthcare. By working together, they aim to ensure that AI technologies are used to improve health outcomes and protect the rights and dignity of individuals around the globe. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS):

Q: What is the purpose of a WHO Collaborating Centre?

A: A WHO Collaborating Centre is a national institution designated by the Director-General of the World Health Organization to form part of an inter-institutional collaborative network, carrying out activities in support of the Organization’s program at a global, regional, or country level.

Q: What are the key areas of focus for the new WHO Collaborating Centre at Delft University of Technology?

A: The key areas of focus include developing ethical guidelines and standards for AI in healthcare, conducting research on the potential and limitations of AI, providing training and capacity-building programs, and facilitating global collaboration among stakeholders.

Q: Why is ethical AI important in healthcare?

A: Ethical AI in healthcare is important to ensure that technologies are developed and deployed responsibly, respecting privacy, avoiding bias, and ensuring accountability and transparency.

Q: How will the new collaborating centre contribute to global health governance?

A: The new collaborating centre will contribute by developing guidelines, conducting research, providing training, and facilitating collaboration to ensure that AI technologies are used to improve health outcomes and protect human rights.

Q: What is the WHO Global Strategy on Digital Health 2020-2025?

A: The WHO Global Strategy on Digital Health 2020-2025 is an initiative aimed at leveraging digital technologies to improve health outcomes and achieve universal health coverage, focusing on ethical and effective use of digital health tools. 

More Related Topics :