I had the opportunity to represent Sigma during the 2024 UN Civil Society Conference. This two-day event was packed with many vital topics discussed during caucuses, workshops, and plenary sessions, with themes falling into these five categories:
- Sustainable development and financing for development
- International peace and security
- Science, technology, innovation, and digital cooperation/The global digital compact
- Youth and future generations
- Transforming global governance
I intentionally chose to attend sessions that focused on innovation and global digital compact not only because of my personal interest but also due to recent reports claiming that new artificial intelligence (AI) technology will replace nurses at US $9 an hour, disrupting the industry and revolutionizing healthcare. According to its developers, these AI nurses will provide real-time instructions to patients, ensuring they receive appropriate care in collaboration with healthcare professionals. This piqued my interest, so I wanted to know more about the status of AI and how it is being monitored by the international community and regulated by policymakers at the highest level.
During this UN conference, I learned that the United Nations High-Level Advisory Body on AI has been established, along with resolutions from the US, China, the G7, and G20 pertaining to AI governance. Individual governments have also taken steps to address AI management, demonstrating a collective commitment to shaping the future of digital technologies. Three key principles have been identified for effective AI governance: inclusivity, adaptability and flexibility, and speed. Inclusivity ensures that diverse voices, not just those of governments, are part of the governance process. Adaptability and flexibility are crucial, given the rapid pace of technological change. AI governance must be dynamic, allowing creative and flexible responses to evolving challenges. This flexibility will enable stakeholders to make timely decisions and adjust strategies as needed. Speed is essential because decisions regarding AI governance must be made quickly and effectively, with a process that allows for iteration based on feedback and changing circumstances. This approach will help ensure that governance keeps pace with technological advancements.
It is quite evident that industries including the financial district, military and armed forces, agriculture and farming, and many others are actively involved with AI, using it to drive innovation and improve efficiency in their daily operations. As AI continues to evolve, its impact will undoubtedly expand, touching every aspect of our lives and transforming how we work and live.
As frontline healthcare providers, nurses have a crucial role in the governance of artificial intelligence. One critical reason nurses should understand AI advancements is to ensure that ethical standards are upheld. AI's integration into healthcare systems raises concerns about patient data privacy and security risks. Nurses are often responsible for patient advocacy, ensuring their rights are confidentiality protected. By being informed about AI advancements, nurses can contribute to discussions on ethical guidelines, advocate for robust data protection measures to ensure AI is used responsibly, and safeguard patients’ rights and data. Involvement in AI governance processes allows nurses to bring their unique perspectives, ensuring that AI tools are created to address the needs of patients with their welfare and interest foremost in their minds.
The seemingly warped speed of the advancements in today's technology calls for nurses to stay updated with AI developments. This adaptability is crucial for them to effectively integrate new AI tools and technologies into their practice. Continuous education and training in AI can help nurses remain proficient in using new technologies and harness this technology to achieve better patient outcomes and more efficient workload. Nurses, with their on-the-ground experience and understanding of patient needs, can help shape AI tools that are practical, user-friendly, and beneficial for all stakeholders. For instance, AI-driven diagnostic tools must consider the diverse patient medical histories and conditions that nurses encounter daily. Their input ensures these tools are accurate and effective across different patient demographics. It ensures that social determinants of health are fully considered from technology conceptualization to technology development, usage, operations, and beyond. Without input from healthcare professionals who know their patients extensively, there is a great risk for AI to exacerbate existing healthcare disparities if not designed thoughtfully. AI technologies must be developed to be accessible and beneficial to all patient populations, regardless of socioeconomic status or geographic location. By participating in developing and implementing, nurses can play a crucial role in highlighting these disparities and advocating for AI solutions that are inclusive and equitable.
The environmental impact of AI development is another critical consideration. AI is energy-intensive and contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. Nurses can advocate for environmentally responsible practices in AI development and implementation. They can ensure that AI technologies are developed and used to minimize its environmental footprint by understanding the sustainability efforts in AI governance. This advocacy can extend to promoting the use of energy-efficient AI systems and supporting initiatives that reduce the environmental impact of AI technology.
Artificial intelligence needs nurses to be involved to ensure that the technologies are developed with patients’ rights and best interests protected. Staying informed about AI developments is essential for nurses to provide the ethical, inclusive, and sustainable implementation of AI technologies in healthcare. By actively participating in AI governance and integrating new tools into their practice, nurses can enhance patient care, improve healthcare outcomes, and contribute to AI's equitable and responsible use now and in the future.
Jasper Erwin L. Tolarba, DNP, RN, CNE, CGNC, FFNMRCSI, FACHE, FAAN, is the inaugural Beatrice Hofstadter White Endowed Chair for Nursing Practice, Education, Research, and Innovation at Nuvance Health System and Sacred Heart University in New York and Connecticut. He serves as a Sigma United Nations Liaison and is a member of Sigma’s Delta Mu and Alpha Zeta Chapters.
