Veterans Affairs Department to Take Iterative Approach to AI Testing

Gil Alterovitz, director of the Department of Veterans Affairs National Artificial Intelligence Institute, said on Wednesday that four new AI centers will prioritize iterative testing.

The NAII is setting up at VA medical sites in Washington, D.C.; Long Beach, California; Kansas City, Missouri; and Tampa, Florida, FedScoop reported.

Speaking at a Fed Gov Today webinar, Alterovitz noted that applications to host the facilities were open to medical sites in various Veterans Integrated Service Networks. He explained that dispersing the AI centers across different VISNs enables the VA to test various AI and better understand the technology.

The VA announced plans to establish AI centers at a September summit. Alterovitz said his organization’s goal at the summit is to enable operational use cases within each VISN. Each center will pilot and scale projects and expand the talent pool, he added.

In April, the VA formed audit groups to oversee its use of AI for research and treatment. Alterovitz told FedScoop at the time that the entities would ensure that the department utilizes the technology fairly and transparently.

Earlier, the NAII created a trustworthiness checklist for department scientists building AI models.