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OPINION: As we celebrate International Women's Day this year, it's crucial to reflect on the rapid advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning in healthcare. While these technologies promise to revolutionise medical research and patient care, we must ensure they don't perpetuate historical biases against women but, like the United Nation International Women’s Day theme for 2025, are of benefit for ALL women and girls to provide rights, equality and empowerment.
For decades, women were intentionally excluded from clinical trials, a practice that has left a lasting impact on medical research. It wasn't until 1993 that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reversed its ban on women of childbearing age participating in early-stage clinical trials[1]and there is still no mandatory requirement for gender balance in clinical trials in Australia. This exclusion has resulted in a significant gender data gap, with countless drugs and treatments developed primarily based on male physiology.
The consequences of this bias are alarming. A study including over 500,000 patients estimated that women face a 1.5 to 1.7 times greater risk of developing adverse reactions to drugs than men[2].
These disparities extend beyond medication. Women often receive delayed diagnoses, experience overprescribing, and face a failure to properly investigate their symptoms[3]. For instance, heart attack symptoms are less likely to be recognised in women than in men, leading to potentially life-threatening delays in treatment.
As we embrace the AI revolution in healthcare, we stand at acritical juncture. The power of machine learning and generative AI to analyse vast datasets and identify patterns holds immense promise. However, if we feed these systems data that reflects historical biases, we risk amplifying and perpetuating gender inequalities in healthcare.
Consider the development of AI-driven diagnostic tools. If trained on datasets predominantly featuring male patients, these systems may struggle to accurately identify conditions in women, particularly those that present differently across genders. Similarly, AI-powered drug discovery platforms could inadvertently prioritise treatments that are more effective for men if not carefully calibrated to consider gender differences in drug metabolism and efficacy.
To truly embody the spirit of "Rights. Equality. Empowerment." in the context of AI and healthcare, now is the time to take decisive action:
- Diverse data collection: Ensure that the data used to train AI systems in healthcare is representative of all genders, races, and communities. This is crucial for developing AI that can accurately diagnose and treat conditions across diverse populations.
- Gender-aware AI development: AI researchers and developers be trained to recognise and mitigate gender biases in their algorithms. This includes implementing rigorous testing protocols to identify potential disparities in AI performance across genders and assessing data for misrepresentation.
- Policy and regulation: Advocate for policies that mandate gender equality considerations in AI development, particularly in healthcare applications.
- Interdisciplinary collaboration: Bringing together AI experts, medical professionals, and gender studies scholars can help ensure a holistic approach to addressing gender bias in healthcare AI.
- Transparency and accountability: AI systems used in healthcare should be subject to regular audits to assess their performance across different demographic groups, with results made publicly available.
The potential for AI to transform healthcare is immense. From personalised treatment plans to early disease detection, these technologies could dramatically improve health outcomes for all. However, we must remain vigilant to ensure that the benefits of this revolution are equitably distributed.
As we mark International Women's Day, let us commit to building a future where AI in healthcare serves as a tool for equality and empowerment for ALL women and girls, not a perpetuator of historical biases. By addressing the gender data gap and developing AI systems with a conscious focus on equality, we can work towards a healthcare system that truly serves all members of our diverse society.
The path forward requires dedication, collaboration, and a willingness to challenge long-standing assumptions in medical research and practice. But the reward – a healthcare system that provides truly personalised and effective care for everyone, regardless of gender – is well worth the effort.
[1] https://www.clinicaltrialsarena.com/features/underrepresentation-women-early-stage-clinical-trials/
[2] https://www.appliedclinicaltrialsonline.com/view/gender-bias-in-the-clinical-evaluation-of-drugs
[3] https://www.pmc.gov.au/resources/national-strategy-achieve-gender-equality-discussion-paper/current-state/health
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