At AIRIS 2025, WHO and global partners call for collaborative governance to ensure safe, ethical and inclusive use of AI in healthcare.
INCHEON: As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to transform global healthcare, the World Health Organization (WHO) has called for a unified regulatory approach to ensure its safe, ethical and equitable use. This appeal was made during the AI Regulatory and International Symposium (AIRIS) 2025, held in Incheon, Republic of Korea, and co-hosted by WHO and the country’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS).
Speaking at the event, WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated, “As AI becomes more sophisticated and its health applications expand, so must our efforts to make them safe, effective, ethical, and equitable.” Held under the theme “Regulation for AI, Together for Tomorrow,” the symposium gathered regulators, health authorities, academia, and industry leaders from across the globe.
Discussions focused on developing effective governance and regulatory frameworks for AI applications in health, particularly those used across the medical product lifecycle—from development and clinical trials to manufacturing and post-market monitoring. The Outcome Statement from AIRIS Incheon 2025 emphasised a lifecycle-based approach and urged risk-proportionate regulation adapted to each country’s health system needs.
Participants stressed the importance of inclusivity, accountability, and cross-border collaboration to reduce regulatory disparities and promote a trustworthy AI ecosystem. A strong push was made for increased international dialogue to align national efforts, facilitate knowledge sharing and support safe AI innovation globally.
AIRIS 2025 reinforced its importance as a permanent global platform for exchanging best practices and aligning strategies on AI governance in health. WHO and the MFDS also reaffirmed their commitment to co-host future AIRIS events to expand the symposium’s reach and deepen its impact worldwide.
By championing transparency and ethical standards, WHO and its partners aim to ensure that AI in health enhances care without deepening inequalities or compromising safety.
