The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is seeking a public-private sector collaboration to improve health services using Artificial Intelligence(AI) technologies. The same was outlined in an AI strategic plan released by the agency recently.

“We will continue to do our part at HHS, as detailed in this Plan, using available resources and levers to successfully deploy AI in health, human services, and public health. But success requires a whole-of-nation approach in partnership with industry, academia, patients, and countless others. We look to the rest of the ecosystem to join us in this mission,” HHS Deputy Secretary Andrea Palm said in a letter which is part of the 198 page long document.

HHS will accomplish this objective by focusing on four key goals:

• Catalyzing health AI innovation and adoption to unlock new ways to improve people’s lives

• Promoting trustworthy AI development and ethical and responsible use to avoid potential harm

• Democratizing AI technologies and resources to promote access

• Cultivating AI-empowered workforces and organization cultures to effectively and safely use AI

Earlier this month, HHS announced that it had achieved 271 use cases in 2024, marking a 66% increase compared to the number reported the previous year.

“Out of the 271 use cases, 59 are initiated, 57 are in acquisition and/or development, 35 are in implementation and assessment, 104 are in operation and maintenance,” and 16 are retired,” Steven Posnack, HHS Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy and principal deputy national coordinator for health IT, said in a blog post.