Trustworthy AI

AI instituted in a responsible manner has enormous potential to benefit our nation’s Veterans and health care systems across the United States

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has the largest integrated healthcare system in the country. VA is responsible for vast amounts of data, including the largest genomic knowledge base in the world linked to health care information. In addition, VA trains the largest number of nurses and doctors in the United States.

VA is committed to creating and implementing a unified trustworthy AI framework based on the highest federal standards to promote Veteran trust in AI-delivered health care and benefits services.

VA’s mission is to provide high-quality and trustworthy care and services to Veterans

Approved for agency-wide use in July 2023, VA’s Trustworthy AI Framework is based on six important principles:

Purposeful, Effective and Safe, Secure and Private, Fair and Equitable, Transparent and Explainable, Accountable and Monitored

AI implemented in a responsible manner has enormous potential to benefit our nation’s Veterans by improving patient care and the trust Veterans have in the services they receive.

AI holds great promise to impact how VA delivers Veteran care. Healthcare industry stakeholders are developing AI solutions to improve patient management, clinical data usage, and how treatment decisions are made. AI in cybersecurity, quality assurance, and other fields will also impact Veteran care.

All use of AI at VA adheres to requirements set by the federal government. Under Executive Orders 13960 and 14110, all agencies are required to design, develop, acquire, and use AI in a way that fosters public trust and confidence while protecting patient privacy.

Under the direction of the Chief AI Officer, The National AI Institute (NAII) and Digital Health Office (DHO) are coordinating (VHA) compliance with evolving federal regulatory oversight of trustworthy AI. NAII also advises national and international policymakers to develop policies that enable the benefits of AI and mitigate the potential risks.

Key Policy Links:

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs AI Policies

VA AI Strategy (2021)

VA plans related to EO 13859 Maintaining American Leadership in Artificial Intelligence

VA Principle-Based Ethics Framework for Access to and Use of Veteran Data (2022): VA’s framework of nine principles for ethical conduct and responsibilities for accessing and using Veteran data.

Current Guidance for Generative AI Models at VA | Office of Information and Technology

National Artificial Intelligence Policies and Guidance

Executive Order 14110 – Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence (2023)

OMB Memo Advancing Governance, Innovation, and Risk Management for Agency Use of Artificial Intelligence (2024)

White House AI Bill of Rights (2022): This non-binding blueprint seeks to strengthen the public’s expectations of fundamental digital rights to their data through five principles around equitable and ethical use of automated systems, including those with AI.