Dr Rubin Pillay, professor and assistant dean of the School of Medicine & Health Innovations at the University of Alabama in the United States, has been appointed to head an Artificial Intelligence Technology Enhanced Care for Health (AI-TECH) council of experts established by Minister of Health and Wellness Dr Christopher Tufton.

Making his contribution to the 2025/26 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on Tuesday, Tufton said the AI-TECH council is an important forward-thinking thrust to secure the future of Jamaica’s health services delivery.

“We have to prepare ourselves for the changes in medical sciences and technology linked to treatment and care, to make health-care screening and treatment more accessible and outcomes more predictable. This is where AI-TECH comes in,” said Tufton in his prepared text.

He noted that AI was the process of using technology-driven data to assess, analyse, predict and influence outcomes.

“In health-care, it means easier and faster screening, more minimal invasive treatment procedures, and remote monitoring and support for the chronically ill,” added Tufton.

According to the health minister, the AI-TECH council of experts will examine trends and recommend new systems utilising AI technology to address issues such as cross-border treatment support; lifestyle-linked medical profile predictability; and home care for the chronically ill and ageing.

The council will also look at any other new trends and practices ethically acceptable for health-care delivery.

Tufton told the House that the AI-TECH council of experts will conduct the necessary applied research and coordination to generate a report aligned to the country’s 10-year strategic plan to integrate AI technology into Jamaica’s health services delivery.

“I have asked the National Health Fund to provide an initial $30 million to support a secretariat for this work which I have asked to be done over a 12-month period, culminating in a one-day workshop in Jamaica where the report will be presented and discussed by a cross section of health and health-related stakeholders.

“My expectation is that the report will contain practical implementable solutions for policy considerations, which will be taken to the Cabinet for its consideration and eventual implementation,” said Tufton.

“The goal is to make best use of AI in health-care, including in the area of screening, self-monitoring and remote access to treatment. The future requires us to carefully consider and prepare for what we do with AI in medicine, guided by science,” added Tufton.