An XRSI report based on the discussions and Swarm AI session held on 11th December, during the Metaverse Safety Week 2023

The discourse surrounding the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) with healthcare has gained considerable attention this year across the ecosystem from regulators and innovators. However, there is a notable gap in addressing the intersection of AI in healthcare with immersive technology. The core of AI applications in healthcare relies on patient data, particularly protected data types, with Protected Health Information (PHI) defined in the US as information in medical records that can identify an individual and is created, used, or disclosed during healthcare services (General HIPAA Provisions (§160.103)). The definition of PHI established 27 years ago could not have foreseen the diverse array of data types emerging in the realm of AI and immersive technologies. Another consideration is that non-covered entities now effectively collect identifiable health information, necessitating extended protections for patient privacy beyond traditional healthcare norms and boundaries. Moreover, existing privacy regulations do not adequately account for the compounded sensitivity resulting from combining different data types, particularly in the context of AI-enabled digital immersive healthcare. When these data are the foundation of AI-enabled digital immersive healthcare, new standards and evaluation frameworks are needed to ensure fair and responsible use of patient data.

The Medical XR and Immersive Healthcare Roundtable at Metaverse Safety Week 2023 underscored the importance of carefully adopting these technologies, mindful of their potential to affect patient outcomes profoundly. The group’s collective wisdom was geared towards finding ways to harness the benefits of immersive healthcare technologies without compromising patient safety and ethical standards. The roundtable aims for a future where AI enhances medical practice yet remains deeply rooted in patient-centric values.

Metaverse Safety Week 2023 elevated the roundtable experience by integrating Swarm AI® technology from Unanimous AI. The innovative approach combined real-time human insights with AI algorithms inspired by nature’s swarm intelligence to amplify collective decision-making. Participants engaged in a dynamic voting process, contributing to decisions that reflect a more profound collective wisdom for safeguarding the interests of AI and Emerging Technologies.