Artificial intelligence (AI) has greatly transformed daily lives and holds the potential to become a game-changer in radiology. At the most recent ACR® Annual Meeting, AI was a main focus of discussion, sparking conversations about its utility and integration in daily practices. As technology continues to advance the profession, many important questions loom:
- How do we ensure AI is used responsibly?
- What steps can we take now to lay a strong foundation for the future of AI in radiology?
In an exciting move toward AI standards of practice, the ACR recently introduced the ACR Recognized Center for Healthcare-AI (ARCH-AI) initiative in June 2024. This marks the first national AI quality assurance program for radiology facilities, aimed at supporting the safe and effective implementation of AI for better patient care.
ARCH-AI is based on expert consensus and industry best practices, focusing on the infrastructure, processes and governance needed to successfully implement AI in clinical practice. By following the program’s guidelines, facilities can take critical steps to ensure AI is deployed safely and functions as intended. These factors are increasingly important as technology continues to evolve at a rapid pace and more AI products emerge.
To achieve ARCH-AI recognition, radiology practices must adhere to several key criteria. These include forming an interdisciplinary AI governance group, maintaining a well-documented inventory of AI algorithms and ensuring compliance with strict security protocols. Additionally, practices are expected to thoroughly review and select AI algorithms, document their use cases and training procedures, monitor the performance of algorithms and contribute to the ACR Data Science Institute® Assess-AI central registry, which tracks and benchmarks AI performance.
ARCH-AI is designed to help radiology facilities establish robust AI quality assurance processes that cover everything from initial testing to continuous monitoring of AI performance. The program offers an accessible and cost-effective way to maximize the benefits of AI while minimizing potential risks. Radiology practices that successfully complete the ARCH-AI process will receive an ACR Recognition badge, a visible commitment to the responsible integration of AI. The badge can be displayed proudly in the waiting rooms and lobbies of certified practices, signaling to patients, payers and referring physicians that the facility prioritizes safe healthcare and best modern practices.
AI is already transforming the practice of radiology, offering immense potential to streamline workflows and improve the quality of imaging. ARCH-AI provides a crucial framework to ensure the responsible use of AI, prioritizing patient safety and quality care at the forefront of medical advancements in radiology. As AI technology continues to evolve and more products enter the market, the principles established by ARCH-AI will be invaluable in standardizing AI practices and equipping radiologists with the most suitable, high-quality tools to deliver the best possible care to our patients.
