Dr Shih Chung-Liang, the Minister of Health and Welfare, said at a healthcare AI forum that the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) will establish three major AI centres focusing on responsible AI, AI validation, and AI impact assessment. He noted that the development of healthcare AI is not just about technological advances or accuracy, but also about the outcomes it can deliver and the value it can create for the public.  To promote the practical application of healthcare AI, the MOHW will establish these three centres to facilitate the integration of AI into Taiwan’s high-quality healthcare system. The initiative aims to create greater value in healthcare and build another “Guardian Mountain” for Taiwan.

Dr Shih explained that, during his tenure at the National Health Insurance Administration (NHIA), his primary concern was determining which products and services could be covered under the Benefit Scheme. However, the development of AI is not just about technical considerations; it is also about how AI can be applied to solve real-world problems and the tangible outcomes and value it can deliver. 

He stressed that AI development relies heavily on data, including personal data, making it essential to earn the public’s confidence and trust. The public must be assured that their privacy and personal data are adequately protected, that data security is maintained, and that the use of their data will bring tangible benefits to society. Furthermore, healthcare AI must also earn the trust of healthcare professionals, who need to regard these tools as reliable and practical and feel confident and safe when using them.

 Dr Shih emphasised that healthcare AI should help frontline healthcare professionals improve work efficiency, reduce their workload, and enhance patient care. Technological advances must prove their worth through practical application in clinical settings.

Therefore, the MOHW plans to establish three AI centres. The Responsible AI Center will focus on ensuring that AI is developed and used in a trustworthy and responsible manner. The AI Validation Center will aim to facilitate the adoption of computational models and algorithms by other institutions and ensure, through rigorous validation, that their results are reproducible across different institutions.

Finally, the AI Impact Assessment Center will play a key role in evaluating whether healthcare AI delivers tangible value. The assessment will examine several aspects, including improvements in patients’ health outcomes, diagnostic accuracy, clinical care and patient prognosis, as well as reductions in healthcare costs. Through this process, it will be possible to determine whether the implementation of AI has made a meaningful and measurable difference in healthcare.

Dr Shih stressed that, in addition to its strong information and communications technology (ICT) industry, Taiwan also has an excellent healthcare system. With the support of AI, Taiwan can create greater value in healthcare and make healthcare AI another “Guardian Mountain” for the country.

 【2026-10-21/ The Storm Media】