Algorithms as the New Drugs: The Case for Regulating Medical AI Like Pharmaceuticals

In a commentary, Hugh Harvey argues that medical AI algorithms are the new "drugs" and must face rigorous evidence and regulation to avoid becoming modern snake oil.

• The piece parallels the historical shift from unregulated remedies to evidence-based medicine with today's AI landscape, cautioning that without rigorous testing, AI risks being ineffective or harmful.
• It calls for AI algorithms to be subject to the same regulatory scrutiny as pharmaceuticals, including proof of effectiveness and safety before clinical deployment.
• This is an opinion piece, not a research study; it reflects a growing discourse on the need for robust evaluation frameworks for AI in healthcare.

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