Issued2026-01-14

Ethics and Governance of Artificial Intelligence for Health: Guidance on Large Multi-modal Models

Final GuidanceSector

Summary

WHO guidance setting out ethical and governance considerations for the development and use of large multi-modal models (LMMs) in health, including generative AI, with principles and recommendations for governments, developers and health institutions on risk management, transparency, accountability and oversight across the AI lifecycle.

Healthcare Implications

Provides a health-specific reference for safe and responsible deployment of LMMs in clinical care, public health and health research, supporting national regulations, procurement decisions, institutional governance frameworks and risk management for generative AI tools in health.

Impact Level

Medium

Keywords

Safety & Risk; Privacy & Data; Transparency & Governance; Clinical Quality & Efficacy; Equity & Bias

Stakeholders

Providers & Health Systems; Patients & Public; Payers & Purchasers; Developers & Vendors; Regulators & Government