U.S. FDA Embraces AI Regulatory Framework

AI formally enters into the U.S. FDA review process for smart devices. (Getty Images license)

Technology breaks down barriers amongst the various industry sectors. It also breaks down divides in the regulatory space. Usually one thinks of the U.S. Patent Office as mostly being called to deal with AI technology in reviewing (or invalidating) AI related patents. It seems that the U.S. FDA will also embrace AI. 

U.S. FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb said in a conference last month that the agency will issue a “new regulatory framework” that will allow regulators to keep up with new technology and “promote innovation in this space.” The new framework aims to speed up approvals for AI-based devices and tools such as early-detection smart systems that may be embedded in mobile devices.

In order to create smart devices that are capable in detecting certain ailments, the AI community need to further develop the AI discipline of "transfer learning" which is the ability to train an algorithm to apply learning from one area to solve a completely different kind of problem in another context. This makes it possible to train algorithms on far less data. 

This is a developing story and will monitor. 

AI breaking down all barriers amongst key industrial sectors. (Getty Images license)