This article is part of a series on Chief AI Officers in Healthcare, featuring insights from various leaders in the field.

Recently, Charles Worthington, the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) and Chief AI Officer at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), discussed the importance of human problem-solving in the realm of artificial intelligence (AI).

Worthington, who has a background in software development and product design, stated:

“The technology itself is a secondary concern. The more important thing is figuring out the problems most important to solve.”

Key Responsibilities

In his dual role, Worthington oversees:

• Coordination of AI initiatives across the VA.
• Promotion of innovation while managing associated risks.
• Guidance on the agency’s broader technology strategy.

He aims to enhance the online experience for veterans, streamline benefits processing, and improve health data interoperability.

Experience and Background

Before joining the VA in May 2017, Worthington was instrumental in establishing the U.S. Digital Service and co-authored the “Digital Services Playbook.” His experience includes:

• Recruiting over 150 tech professionals from leading companies.
• Executing digital service projects across various government agencies.

Collaboration with the CIO

Worthington reports to the Chief Information Officer (CIO) and focuses on:

• Identifying and addressing critical problems faced by veterans and clinicians.
• Accelerating AI adoption in high-impact areas.

He emphasizes the importance of AI governance to ensure safety and effectiveness in its applications.

Daily Operations

A typical day for Worthington involves:

• Meeting with staff to explore how AI can assist with ongoing challenges.
• Communicating with stakeholders to ensure understanding of AI requirements and effectiveness measures.

Current AI Use Cases

The VA currently has over 100 AI use cases in production, including:

• Imaging and radiology applications.
• Risk scoring algorithms to identify veterans at high risk of suicide.
• Generative AI tools to enhance productivity in administrative tasks.

Worthington noted that the VA is committed to transparency regarding its AI initiatives, regularly publishing an inventory of its AI use cases.

Future Directions

Looking ahead, Worthington is excited about:

• Expanding the use of AI tools like the GI Genius for colonoscopy support.
• Enhancing the ReachVet algorithm for suicide risk assessment.
• Implementing a generative AI tool, VA GPT, to improve efficiency for over 40,000 users.

He believes that these technologies can significantly reduce administrative burdens and improve job satisfaction among staff.

For more insights on launching healthcare AI projects, click here.