In 2023, cyberattacks on healthcare systems increased, with cybercriminals shifting their focus to smaller, regional providers. These attacks resulted in significant financial costs and operational disruptions, including the suspension of procedures and the shutdown of IT systems. Experts suggest the need for robust cybersecurity measures, transparent communication regarding potential vulnerabilities, and regular updates and patches to avoid software vulnerabilities. Regulations are anticipated to focus on resilience rather than prevention, and healthcare organizations are increasing their budgets to improve cybersecurity capabilities. The potential for increased regulatory enforcement and legal consequences for negligence in preventative measures is predicted to push continued improvement of cybersecurity standards.

2024 Outlook: The cybersecurity trends health system leaders need to know FierceHealthcare

Generative AI growth in healthcare expected in 2024 but will face increased regulation. 2023's hype led few health systems to implement definitive generative AI strategies. GSR Ventures' Dr. Justin Norden predicts more providers realizing benefits from genAI in administrative tasks. However, needed for regulatory guidelines to protect patient safety and provider liability, with President Biden's October executive order hinting at 2024 AI regulation. Norden anticipates broader AI regulation, testing for bias, accuracy, and safety. Health systems potentially self-regulating AI algorithms in regulatory uncertainty. Increased financial pressures could force health tech vendor consolidation.

2024 will see massive growth in generative AI – but also more regulation Healthcare IT News

Apple innovates in AI with 3D avatars, efficient language models; HUGS creates avatars from monocular videos, outperforming Vid2Avatar, NeuMan; windowing and row-column bundling speed prop up large language model (LLM) inference. New techniques may integrate into Apple products, enabling complex AI services. Future: AI-infused service needs, photorealistic avatars, powerful AI assistants on portable devices.

Apple’s latest AI research could completely transform your iPhone VentureBeat

Data-driven healthcare improves patient safety, reduces waste. Stanford uses total patient data to avoid negative drug interactions, costly repeat tests. Interoperability between health IT systems aids understanding of care history. HHS's TEFCA enables universal interoperability using private-public partnership, collaborative approach. Lack of single connection point impedes patient data sharing, reduces healthcare quality. TEFCA's network-interconnectivity eliminates need for multiple legal agreements, connection points. Stanford, an early TEFCA adopter, envisions comprehensive patient care. Participation in TEFCA marks easy nationwide interoperability.

Trust in Health Data Sharing RealClearHealth