The President of the Polish SA participated in a conference dedicated to AI in medicine

On October 17, 2024, a conference titled 'AI in Medicine and the Processing of Patient Personal Data – a contribution to the discussion on ongoing changes' was held at the Medical University of Warsaw. The event was organised by the Medical University of Warsaw Security Office – the Data Protection Officers Team. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss key issues related to the development of artificial intelligence in medicine and the challenges this phenomenon poses concerning personal data processing. The event provided a space for the exchange of knowledge and experiences, gathering experts from various fields, including representatives from the Personal Data Protection Office, experts in new technologies and law, as well as researchers.

During the conference, Mirosław Wróblewski, the President of the Personal Data Protection Office, emphasized in his speech that medical data, due to their special nature, are treated exceptionally both by data processors and public opinion. He also pointed out their significant financial value, which makes them an attractive target for cyberattacks. As a result, there has been an increase in the number of incidents related to this area.

For this reason, the activity of the supervisory authority will be strengthened.

The program of the event included three discussion panels:

• „AI in medicine” - use-platforms (treatments and operations, clinical trials, diagnostics, statistical research, etc.) – present and future; 'substitutability' in specializations.
• AI and personal data protection – how far behind we are in the ongoing 'algorithmisation' of processes and the associated processing of personal data (AI Act).
• Legal regulations regarding AI in medicine and the related processing of personal data.

The conference also included a lecture on 'Legislative challenges in the healthcare sector in light of the perspective of new EU regulations dedicated to AI,' which was led by Ms. Monika Krasińska, Director of the Case Law and Legislation Department at the Personal Data Protection Office.

The conference aimed to present the views and knowledge of the speakers and, more importantly, to stimulate discussion among participants on such a complex and sometimes controversial topic.