National project resetting the rules of AI in healthcare research

A multimillion-dollar national project is reshaping how artificial intelligence (AI) is ethically integrated into healthcare research. The initiative comes on the back of multiple government reviews of ‘AI in Healthcare’ released over the past year by the Department of Health and Aged Care, the Department of Industry, Science and Resources, and the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).

Research Ethics Plus AI (REP AI) is the only NHMRC-funded project this year focussed on applied ethics and AI governance. The four-year initiative is led by Professor Stacy Carter from the University of Wollongong, alongside Dr Yagiz Aksoy from Royal North Shore Hospital, Dr Lisa Eckstein from Bellberry and the University of Tasmania, Professor Farah Magrabi from Macquarie University, and Professor Annette Braunack-Mayer from the University of Wollongong.

“The pace and volume of AI research is extraordinary, and it’s creating new ethical questions and challenges,” said Professor Carter, Director of UOW’s Australian Centre for Health Engagement, Evidence and Values.

“Our project responds directly to a call from the NHMRC and the research community for practical, evidence-based resources that can help committees and governance units make informed, responsible decisions about health research that develops or applies artificial intelligence technologies.”

The project has secured $1.05 million in NHMRC funding, matched by $1.2 million in partner contributions, taking the total investment to $2.25 million. Partners include the Medical Technology Association of Australia (MTAA), NSW Health, Bellberry, Alfred Health, Research Australia, Population Health Research Network, and the Australasian Institute of Digital Health (AIDH).

“AI is no longer a distant concept. It’s already here, influencing how we diagnose, treat and predict disease,” said Dr Aksoy. “AI holds huge promise in healthcare, but without ethical oversight, it can also amplify bias or harm. This work is about building trust and ensuring AI is developed and used responsibly.”

Stakeholders across the sector, including MTAA, ANDHealth, Medicines Australia and the Medical Software Industry Association (MSIA), have already weighed in on the government’s latest AI in Healthcare review, questioning whether it went far enough, pointing to critical gaps, and outlining their expectations for stronger action.

REP AI aims to directly address some of those concerns by equipping organisations and ethics committees to better evaluate research involving AI. With applications already extending to medical imaging, diagnostics, and predictive modelling, the need for robust ethical frameworks is pressing.

The research project will begin with an international scoping review to pinpoint the areas where resources and support are most urgently required. From there, the team will consult widely with stakeholders and the public to explore contested issues and ethical trade-offs. This research will underpin the development and testing of practical resources designed to align with community values.

“As digital health systems progress, governance structures must evolve to ensure AI-related research is both ethical and transparent. This project aligns with AIDH’s mission to advance digital health solutions that improve health outcomes,” said AIDH CEO, Anja Nikolic.

Professor Carter reinforced the broader ambition of REP AI, saying “Ultimately, our goal is to support human research ethics committees and research governance professionals to assess and oversee AI-related research in health and ensure public trust and confidence in these oversight processes.”

In reimagining healthcare across the entire patient journey, Health Industry Hub^TM is the only one-stop-hub uniting the diversity of the Pharma, MedTech, Diagnostics & Biotech sectors to inspire meaningful change.

The Health Industry Hub^TM content is copyright protected. Access is available under individual user licenses. Please click here to subscribe and visit T&Cs here.