At VRx Health, we recognize the transformative power of artificial intelligence (AI) in enhancing human health and wellbeing. We are aware of the responsibilities that come with this innovation. Our commitment to ethical AI use is guided by principles rooted in medical ethics and a pursuit of scientific integrity. While we endeavor to uphold these principles with the utmost diligence, we acknowledge—as we believe all AI companies should—that the journey of innovation involves navigating uncharted territories. We are committed to addressing events with transparency, learning from experiences, and adjusting, all with the true north principles of safety, transparency, equity, inclusivity, and ethics. This principle of responsiveness and growth ensures that every challenge we face becomes an opportunity to enhance our ethical standards and improve our services. The following principles describe our commitment to AI ethics in healthcare:
The core of our mission is to do no harm. Every AI application we develop is tested in our academic laboratories, seeking to evaluate safety, efficacy, and the absence of harmful effects or unintended biases. We prioritize mental and physical wellbeing, not just in outcomes, but in every step of our user’s journey with AI-assisted mental health support.
Transparency in AI is not just a policy; it's a practice. We believe in clear, open communication about how our AI systems work, the data they use, and the decisions they make. Our research is published and peer-reviewed, and any research we publish explicitly indicates conflicts of interest.
Our commitment to equity is reflected in our relentless pursuit to identify and, wherever possible, eliminate implicit biases in our AI systems. We design our therapies to be inclusive, accessible, and beneficial to a diverse patient population. We recognize the unique experiences and needs of each individual and strive to ensure our AI tools enhance health equity. Our lab at Cedars-Sinai has innovated new approaches to testing for evidence of implicit bias in our AI-assisted software, and we publish our results. We remain vigilant in monitoring for and seeking to address evidence of bias that we or others identify.
As a company founded by doctors and academicians, we are guided by the highest ethical standards in both medicine and research. Our interdisciplinary teams, consisting of healthcare professionals, AI experts, and ethicists, collaborate to ensure our AI solutions are developed and deployed with moral integrity, respecting patient autonomy and privacy.
We understand the critical importance of data privacy and security in healthcare. Our systems are designed to safeguard patient data with the highest standards of security, adhering to stringent regulations and best practices. We commit to using patient data responsibly, ensuring confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Our approach to data handling is transparent, with clear policies on data collection, usage, storage, and sharing, ensuring our patients' privacy rights are always a top priority.
In the dynamic landscape of AI in healthcare, we are committed to continuous learning and improvement. We stay abreast of the latest developments, adapting our practices to new guidelines and technological advancements. Our goal is to lead by example, shaping a future where AI in healthcare is synonymous with enhanced human dignity, wellbeing, and the betterment of society.
While we endeavor to uphold these principles, we acknowledge the ever-present potential that events may not always occur as planned. Should missteps occur, we are committed to addressing them with transparency, learning from these experiences, and making necessary adjustments. This principle of responsiveness and growth ensures that every challenge we face becomes an opportunity to enhance our ethical standards and improve our services.
As we embark on this journey, we invite patients, practitioners, policymakers, and the public to engage with us in meaningful dialogue. Together, we can harness the potential of AI in healthcare, ensuring it serves the greater good, with safety at its heart.