National Academies Releases Framework for AI in Health Care

The National Academy of Medicine (NAM) released a new report called Artificial Intelligence in Health, Medical, and Biomedical Fields: A Framework for a Code of Conduct. This special publication offers clear guidelines for how artificial intelligence (AI) should be used in healthcare, including behavioral health. As AI tools are being used more often to support clinical decisions and improve care, the report stresses the need for ethical and responsible use. The framework is especially important for behavioral health, where trust, privacy, and fairness are critical. It has clear implications for policymakers, providers, and healthcare leaders working to integrate AI into care safely and effectively.

The framework outlines ten core principles, such as transparency, fairness, accountability, and patient safety. It urges developers, clinicians, and healthcare organizations to work together to make sure AI tools don’t worsen health disparities or cause harm. It also calls for more community input—especially from those who are often left out of health decisions. While many regulations for AI exist, the report notes that they are often scattered and inconsistent, and this framework is meant to provide a shared standard for using AI responsibly.

The report also includes practical steps for putting these principles into action. It recommends creating internal review processes, training staff on AI use, and making sure the data that AI systems rely on is accurate and well-managed. While the report gives examples from fields like radiology and cancer care, it highlights behavioral health as a key area where ethical use of AI is both important and complex, due to sensitive data and the challenges of mental health care.

For behavioral health, this report offers a helpful roadmap. As AI becomes more common in mental health screenings, suicide prevention tools, and treatment matching, following a clear and ethical code of conduct will be key. Policymakers can use this framework to shape rules for AI in behavioral health, and providers can use it to guide how they evaluate and adopt new tools in their systems.