VA Operationalizes 40 AI Use Cases, Chief Technology Officer Says

The Department of Veterans Affairs said 40 artificial intelligence use cases are in an operational phase within the agency to ensure that customers receive optimal health care benefits.

Speaking before the House VA Committee on Feb. 15, Charles Worthington, the department’s chief technology officer, said AI can help VA employees provide better health care and improve decision-making. He added that AI can improve systems security.

Worthington also told the committee that the VA used natural language processing to scan customer feedback and comments, allowing employees to determine what customers need.

The VA recorded over 100 AI use cases so far. These include REACH-VET, an AI model designed to predict the veterans at high risk of self-harm, and other predictive tools to identify how veterans will cope after initial cancer treatment, Federal News Network reported.

Worthington’s statements are in line with the VA’s push for AI adoption.

In October, Gil Alterovitz, director of the VA National AI Institute, announced four new centers that will focus on an iterative approach to AI testing. According to Alterovitz, the proposed Veterans Integrated Service Networks would allow the department to test various solutions and understand AI better.

In April, the VA established two groups to assess how the department is practicing fairness and transparency in AI usage.