Governing AI in Health

Past Event

October 9, 2026

8:30 AM - 1:30 PM

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Columbia Law School, Jerome Greene Hall (Room102A)

Artificial Intelligence systems are reshaping the landscape of modern medicine and scientific research.

With such transformation comes a critical provocation: How do we ensure AI governance remains ethical and trustworthy, rather than merely compliant?

This kickoff event of the "Reprogramming Governance" series brings together a multidisciplinary panel of experts in AI ethics, healthcare, and law to explore the frameworks and oversight mechanisms necessary to ensure that AI serves the interests of patients and society at large.

This event is part of the Frontiers in Data Science and AI initiative at the Data Science Institute, Columbia University— Reprogramming Governance: Ethical AI in Science and Health Series

Details & Registration

Friday, October 9, 2026 (8:30 AM - 1:30 PM)
Columbia Law School, Jerome Greene Hall (Room 102A) - Google Maps
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Speakers & Talk Information

Title: Institutional Morality and the Ethical Governance of AI

Abstract: As concerns about the limited external oversight of AI have grown, decisions about the ethical governance of health AI tools and interventions have largely been left to local institutions to determine. While there is broad agreement on the guiding ethical principles, epistemic and normative questions of who decides, what ought to be deployed and how, which standards of evidence should be used, at what cost, and for whose benefit remain unsettled. The work of governance lies in building institutions capable of centering core values, supporting deliberation, and resolving competing interests. Dr. Lee will discuss governance as sociotechnical infrastructure through which institutions define and operationalize their moral commitments when integrating AI into care.

Bio: Noémie Elhadad is Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Biomedical Informatics at Columbia University VP&S (Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons) and Director of Medical Information Services at NewYork-Presbyterian. She leads the AI at VP&S Initiative and Eve_n, Columbia University’s research initiative on data-powered women's health. Her research sits at the intersection of artificial intelligence, human-centered computing, and medicine, with a focus on developing novel machine-learning methods. She designs AI-driven tools to support patients and clinicians, ensuring that the AI systems of the future are safe, effective, and advance medicine.

Title: The Law and Ethics of AI in Clinical Care: What Patients and Clinicians Should Care About, and Where There are Legal and Regulatory Gaps

Abstract: This short talk discusses several topics that patients and clinicians care about (or should care about) when it comes to AI's integration into clinical care. It also evaluates where outside regulators and the law more generally have made helpful inroads, and where gaps remain. Topics covered will include: liability for adverse events, informed consent, bias, and privacy. The talk also considers how clinicians can ensure their voices are heard in hospital-level policymaking.

Title: Implementing Private Governance of AI: Lessons from a US Academic Health System

Abstract: The U.S. relies heavily on the private sector to develop standards and processes to ensure that AI use in healthcare is safe, effective, and fair. This task involves enormous challenges, particularly given the pace of technological change in the generative and agentic AI spaces, variations in how AI tools are used in different healthcare settings, and the increasing cadence of demands to get new AI tools up and running. This session will share learnings and reflections from two years of AI governance experience at Stanford Health Care, a multi-hospital system that cares for over a million patients per year. It will conclude with reflections on the role that government can play in ensuring that robust private governance takes place within healthcare organizations.

Agenda

Friday, October 9, 2026

8:30 AM: Check-in

9:00 AM: Introduction & Opening Provocation: Sandra Soo-Jin Lee, Chief of the Division of Ethics and Professor of Medical Humanities and Ethics, Columbia University (15 min)

9:15 AM: AI and Health Grounding: Noémie Elhadad, Chair and Associate Professor of Biomedical Informatics, Vice Dean for AI Initiatives for the Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University (15 min)

9:30 AM: Presentation: Glenn Cohen, Professor of Law and Faculty Director of the Petrie-Flom Center for Health Law Policy, Biotechnology & Bioethics, Harvard University (30 min)

10:00 AM: Presentation: Michelle Mello, Professor of Law and Health Policy, Stanford University (30 min)

10:30 AM: Coffee Break (15 min)

10:45 AM: Panel Discussion: Governing AI in Health, with all speakers listed above (60 min)

11:45 AM: Panel Q&A (45 min)

12:30 PM: Lunch Reception (60 min)

1:30 PM: Event Ends

FAQs

Hybrid Event Format: This is a hybrid event; on the registration form, please select if you will attend in-person or remotely. A Zoom Webinar link will be provided to you in your Eventbrite confirmation email.

Building Entrance & Check-In: The entrance to the Law School is located on West 116th Street between Amsterdam Avenue and Morningside Drive. Columbia Faculty and Staff will be able to scan their CUIDs at the turnstiles to enter the building. All other attendees, including Columbia students and external guests, will need to check-in with the security guard at the building entrance. Room 102A is located directly to the right of the security desk past the turnstiles.

Columbia Campus Access QR Codes for External Guests: While you will not need a QR code to enter the Law School building, we will issue QR codes for walking convenience and access to the rest of Columbia’s Morningside Campus. You will receive an email from "[email protected]" with your QR code.

Here is a helpful map with directions to Columbia Law School from Columbia Gates