January 10, 2024

CloudWave’s 2024 Predictions Part 2: How AI Will Transform Healthcare in 2024 (And What CIOs Must Do to Prepare)

In the first installment of CloudWave’s predictions series on what developments we can expect to see throughout the healthcare IT landscape in 2024, we discussed the shifting nature of cybersecurity funding as many healthcare organizations begin to rethink their approach to cybersecurity, focusing on streamlining resources for greater efficiency and risk mitigation. In our second segment, we will discuss our thoughts on how healthcare CIOs will navigate the opportunities, challenges, and cybersecurity risks of new artificial intelligence (AI) technologies.

As the healthcare industry continues to embrace the transformative power of AI, there will be exciting opportunities and formidable challenges. AI has the potential to reshape healthcare in profound ways as it continues its rapid advancement, changing how care is delivered, how medical research is conducted, and how cybercriminals threaten patient data.

Today, AI is no longer confined to a niche but has become a boardroom topic. Healthcare CIOs have a monumental task: determining if and how they will harness AI’s benefits while safeguarding against risks. They must craft a clear AI strategy that aligns with their organization’s priorities and resources. For some, this will mean partnering with leading vendors to implement AI tools developed by industry powerhouses. For others, it may require substantial investments to build internal AI capabilities or, conversely, deciding to limit the use of AI until the appropriate safeguards can be put in place.

Regardless of the approach, CIOs must articulate how and when to leverage AI to improve outcomes, reduce costs, and enhance the patient experience. For those choosing to partner with AI innovators, CIOs must also be equipped to convey how their selected vendors are addressing the challenges and opportunities presented by AI.

At the same time, CIOs face the sobering reality that cybercriminals can weaponize AI to launch more targeted attacks. Beyond conventional threats like ransomware, malicious actors will leverage AI to quickly parse stolen data and craft more sophisticated and highly personalized spear-phishing emails. AI also enables automated password cracking, posing a severe threat to account security. To counter these risks, CIOs must implement robust security frameworks that protect external entry points and internal systems handling sensitive data like electronic health records.

In short, healthcare organizations must adopt a multifaceted approach to AI security to navigate this evolving threat landscape. This includes scrutinizing the AI tools integrated into internal processes in addition to the other systems already being examined. Questions about the security of AI tools used by clinicians, especially those handling protected health information (PHI), will become a key area of focus. Ensuring all tools meet stringent security standards is crucial for maintaining patient trust and compliance with privacy regulations.

CIOs must act now to plan for 2024 and beyond if they plan to embrace AI’s potential while staying ahead of malicious actors and ensuring AI tools’ responsible and secure integration. By developing a thoughtful AI strategy, strengthening vendor relationships, and redoubling cybersecurity efforts, healthcare organizations can harness the power of AI to improve care delivery while upholding their duty to protect patients.

If your organization is ready to begin documenting specific processes, our Artificial Intelligence Security and Privacy Policy Template can help. It is a first-of-its-kind set of comprehensive policies and procedures designed to guide the implementation and management of artificial intelligence technologies in healthcare settings. The guidelines are available to provider healthcare organizations upon request at customersfirst@gocloudwave.com.

John Gomez, Chief Security and Engineering Officer, CloudWave