Page 46 - SAMRC AnnualReport 2025-26

AI in Medical and Health Research In collaboration with national and international

PRICELESS SA is expanding the use of artificial partners, PRICELESS SA is also contributing to the
intelligence (AI) and data-driven technologies emerging evidence base on the integration of AI in
to strengthen health research, policy analysis, public health. A current initiative involves developing
and decision-making. All activities align with the a collaborative grant proposal to evaluate AI-driven
University of the Witwatersrand's guidance on the Clinical Decision Support Tools (CDSTs). The study
ethical use of generative AI, ensuring academic will assess whether AI, machine learning, and natural
integrity, transparency, and responsible innovation. language processing can analyse patient data
and clinical records in real time to support nurses’
The Centre plans to adopt AI-enabled approaches decision-making in Gauteng public health facilities.
to enhance research design, data analysis, and
academic writing using approved institutional tools. The research aims to inform how the National
This work is guided by a commitment to ensuring Department of Health could integrate AI into
that AI complements, rather than replaces, critical Electronic Medical Record systems, while also
scholarly judgement. assessing the feasibility, cost implications, and
equity impacts of these technologies within South
Africa’s public health sector.

The HFACT project, in collaboration with PRICELESS SA, is actively involved in various research activities
and publications. Their recent paper is titled "Reflecting Social Values in HTA Methods: A Case Study of
South Africa."

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