Artificial intelligence (AI) represents a major opportunity for the health sector in France. Significant advances, such as the early diagnosis of diseases, the optimization of personalized treatments or the improvement of the management of hospital resources, can be made possible through the analysis of health data.
In a McKinsey article entitled “Tackling Healthcare's biggest burdens with generative AI”, generative AI appears to be a major factor in solving major challenges in the health sector. Among the main issues identified, we find:
- Improving diagnostics : Generative AI can analyze medical images with greater precision, making it easier to diagnose diseases such as cancer early. However, this requires access to large sets of high-quality imaging data to train the models effectively.
- Optimization of personalized treatments : By using detailed genetic and clinical data, AI can help design treatments that are tailored to each patient. This requires the smooth and secure integration of data from a variety of sources.
- Hospital resource management : AI can predict personnel and equipment needs, improving the operational efficiency of healthcare facilities. For this, real-time and accurate data is essential.
- Accelerated research and development : Generative AI can simulate clinical trials and accelerate the discovery of new drugs, reducing the costs and time needed to bring innovative treatments to market.
To develop these solutions, researchers and developers urgently need access to real data. However, access to this sensitive data is often hampered by regulations aimed at protecting the privacy of individuals. The central question therefore remains: how to reconcile data protection and the development of AI in the field of health?
Modernization of the CNIL, simplification of procedures and data quality.
In his March 2024 report, the Commission on Artificial Intelligence offers us serious ideas:
The Commission Nationale de l'Informatique et des Libertés (CNIL) plays a crucial role in regulating the use of personal data in France. According to the recommendations of the report of the Commission on AI, it is necessary to modernize the mandate of the CNIL to better meet the current requirements of technological innovation. This implies adapting the skills and resources of the CNIL so that it can effectively support AI actors while guaranteeing the protection of health data.
One of the main obstacles to accessing health data is the prior authorization procedures that are too often long and complex. The report recommends the removal of some of these procedures, which would reduce response times and make it easier for researchers and AI developers to access data. This simplification does not mean a reduction in security standards, but rather an optimization of administrative processes to make them more efficient and less restrictive. Allowing regulated but effective access can make a difference in a context of high international competitiveness.
For AI to truly advance, access to data must not only be facilitated, but also ensure its quality. The report highlights the importance of accessing high-quality, reliable, and representative health data. This requires close collaboration between health institutions, regulatory authorities, and technology companies. By ensuring better data quality, AI algorithms will be able to offer more accurate and relevant results, thus strengthening the confidence of healthcare professionals and patients. In a technological world where data is king, data control must be a national challenge.
Implications for French innovation and competitiveness
Facilitating access to health data opens the way to a multitude of innovations in the medical sector. Startups and large companies can develop more efficient AI solutions, contributing to France's competitiveness on the international market. Moreover, it can attract investments and talent in the field of digital health, strengthening the French tech ecosystem.
The integration of McKinsey's recommendations also highlights the importance of having high-quality data to maximize the impact of generative AI. In France, a modernized regulatory framework and simplified procedures will not only meet current data protection requirements, but also stimulate innovation and meet the growing needs of the health sector.
Facilitating access to health data is an essential lever for the advancement of artificial intelligence in France. By modernizing the mandate of the CNIL, by simplifying authorization procedures and by ensuring access to quality data, France can position itself as a leader in medical innovation based on AI. The integration of generative AI technologies, as McKinsey points out, demonstrates the immense potential of these tools to transform the healthcare sector. It is crucial to find a balance between the protection of personal data and the promotion of technological innovation in order to take full advantage of the potential offered by artificial intelligence in the field of health.
