The Joint Commission, CHAI collaborate on scalable health AI standards

Editor's Note

The Joint Commission and the Coalition for Health AI (CHAI) are partnering to set national standards for responsible artificial intelligence (AI) use in healthcare, according to a June 11 announcement from the organizations. This effort will deliver AI implementation guidance, tools, and a certification program to over 80% of US healthcare organizations and programs.

As detailed in the announcement, the collaboration aims to provide structure and accountability for a rapidly advancing but inconsistently regulated space. Together with CHAI, a nonprofit formed by clinicians to promote safe AI in health, The Joint Commission will co-develop AI “playbooks” rooted in CHAI’s consensus-based best practices and The Joint Commission’s evidence-backed standards. Certification and the first wave of guidance are expected to roll out beginning in Fall 2025.

Jonathan Perlin, MD, PhD, CEO of The Joint Commission, emphasized that AI is poised to be the most transformative force in healthcare over the coming decade, if adopted responsibly. Without rigorous frameworks, he warned, AI's potential to enhance patient care may be undermined by risks to safety and trust. The partnership intends to offer a roadmap for navigating those challenges at scale.

The urgency is growing. According to 2024 data cited in the release, nearly half of US healthcare organizations have begun implementing generative AI, with many more preparing to follow. However, industry-wide guidance has lagged behind the pace of innovation. CHAI President and CEO Brian Anderson, MD, noted that teaming up with The Joint Commission allows the coalition to scale its reach dramatically and bring actionable AI resources to even the most under-resourced systems.