Harnessing the Power of AI: A Guide for NZ Healthcare Leaders

Generative AI is a key focus area of healthcare leaders who see its huge potential - from patient care, data analysis and automating administrative tasks while always remaining mindful of patient privacy and safety. As these emerging technologies become more embedded in care settings, New Zealand organisations of all sizes are considering how to benefit from Generative AI without undermining public trust.

Setting clear guidelines in healthcare organisations' policies empowers staff to develop and use AI solutions that positively transform patient care but also remain conscious about regulations such as New Zealand’s privacy legislation. Simple errors, such as uploading patient data to public AI tools, could compromise patient privacy, however, these risks can be mitigated by establishing clear guidance and rules for staff.

Generative AI can empower healthcare teams by handling time-consuming tasks, freeing caregivers and administrators to focus on what matters most - patient outcomes. Strong policies help staff understand what data can be shared with AI and how they can share it. 

Core Principles for Responsible AI at Workday

At Workday, our commitment to responsible AI is reflected in four core principles: Amplify Human Potential, Positively Impact Society, Champion Transparency and Fairness, and Deliver on Our Commitment to Data Protection. Let's explore how these principles apply specifically to the healthcare sector:

• Amplify Human Potential - AI tools can empower healthcare workers by automating mundane tasks, allowing them to dedicate more time to patient interaction and complex clinical duties.
• Positively Impact Society - AI solutions should strive to improve healthcare outcomes while respecting cultural sensitivities and individual rights.
• Champion Transparency and Fairness - recognising how bias can creep into AI models and striving for honesty about how these tools are built, trained, and tested.
• Commitment to Data Protection - Data privacy and protection are paramount in maintaining patient trust and complying with New Zealand's regulatory requirements.

The healthcare community in New Zealand has always led with thoughtful dialogue and collaborative approaches. By investing in staff training programs that show best practices, healthcare providers can build confidence in using AI while also safeguarding patient data. Smaller organisations may feel overwhelmed at first, but developing even a simple policy that outlines data handling, risk assessments and accountability goes a long way.

Practical Steps for Healthcare Organisations

To ensure the responsible use of AI, healthcare organisations should consider the following:

Identify Appropriate Data

• Determine what data sets are relevant, compliant and appropriate for use in AI models
• Protect patient privacy by adhering to applicable regulations

Enforce Robust Data Handling and Compliance

• Implement protocols for collecting, storing and sharing data
• Regular audit practices to maintain confidentiality and compliance

Transparency in the AI models

• Discover and communicate how models are used in the organisation

Usage Guidelines

• Set clear guidelines on how and when staff can use AI

These considerations will help organisations harness the potential of AI without compromising the values that define healthcare in New Zealand. By investing in guidelines, governance, and security, organisations will be able to embrace innovation while honouring their obligations to their staff, patients, and regulatory requirements.

This approach not only safeguards privacy and fosters trust, but it also allows organisations to use transformative AI solutions that are responsible and ethical.

Collaboration and Transparency: The Path Forward

New Zealand's healthcare community has a strong tradition of collaboration and open dialogue. By continuing to share knowledge and best practices, we can collectively ensure the ethical and effective implementation of AI.

Find out how you can build a scalable and secure foundation for the future of healthcare in Aotearoa.