The 53 Member States of the WHO European Region have unanimously adopted their first regional roadmap for artificial intelligence in healthcare. The agreement establishes a common approach to developing, regulating and implementing AI across Europe and Central Asia. Covering the period 2026–2033, the roadmap aims to help countries integrate AI into healthcare systems while safeguarding patient rights, improving data infrastructure and supporting healthcare professionals.
The decision was taken during the 76th session of the WHO Regional Committee for Europe, attended by health ministers and representatives from across the region. The roadmap reflects growing interest in AI applications ranging from disease detection and clinical decision support to administrative automation and patient information services. However, WHO/Europe emphasises that technological progress must be accompanied by appropriate governance, regulation and practical implementation strategies.
According to Dr Corinne Capuano, Officer-in-Charge for WHO/Europe, AI offers opportunities to identify diseases earlier, detect patient deterioration and reduce administrative workloads. At the same time, countries face shared challenges involving safety, effectiveness, equity and public trust. The agreement establishes a regional framework for addressing these issues collectively rather than through separate national approaches.
Four priorities for responsible AI
The roadmap identifies four interconnected areas for action: governance and leadership, ethical and regulatory frameworks, data and digital infrastructure, and capacity-building and implementation. Governments are encouraged to integrate AI into national healthcare priorities through dedicated strategies, clearly defined responsibilities and sustainable investment. The framework also calls for safeguards throughout the AI lifecycle, from development and validation to deployment and monitoring. Data quality, interoperability, secure information exchange and cybersecurity are identified as essential conditions for trustworthy AI.
Another priority is preparing healthcare professionals to use AI effectively. This includes developing workforce skills, supporting implementation in clinical environments and evaluating whether applications deliver measurable benefits. The roadmap was developed in consultation with Member States and draws on WHO/Europe's first region-wide assessment of AI readiness in healthcare, published in 2025. Responses from 50 of the region's 53 countries revealed both progress in AI adoption and areas requiring further development.
Clinical implementation
The new agreement builds on WHO/Europe's broader efforts to translate AI principles into practical healthcare applications. As previously reported by us, WHO has increasingly focused on helping countries move beyond general ethical recommendations towards concrete implementation, governance and evaluation. This shift reflects the need to assess AI not only on technical performance but also on its suitability for real healthcare settings.
The new roadmap addresses that challenge by combining policy development with implementation support and workforce training. Countries are expected to consider how AI systems fit existing healthcare processes, how responsibilities are distributed and how their performance can be assessed after deployment. The emphasis on implementation is particularly relevant as healthcare organisations explore AI for clinical documentation, diagnostic support and patient communication.
WHO/Europe's approach does not prescribe specific technologies. Instead, it provides a framework for governments to develop AI policies suited to their healthcare systems and levels of digital maturity.
Alignment with European legislation
The roadmap also seeks to prevent fragmented approaches to AI governance across Europe and Central Asia. It aligns with existing European and international initiatives, including the EU Artificial Intelligence Act, the European Health Data Space, the Medical Device Regulation and the General Data Protection Regulation. Other relevant initiatives include the European Commission's AI Continent Action Plan and Apply AI Strategy, alongside OECD guidance on scaling AI in healthcare. This alignment is intended to help countries develop policies that complement existing legal and regulatory requirements.
An accompanying implementation guide provides practical support for countries at different stages of digital transformation. The roadmap also supports WHO/Europe's Regional Digital Health Action Plan 2023–2030, its second European Programme of Work 2026–2030 and WHO's Global Strategy on Digital Health 2020–2027.
New WHO office to support implementation
Alongside adopting the roadmap, Member States supported the establishment of a dedicated WHO office for artificial intelligence. The proposed office would strengthen WHO/Europe's capacity to assist countries through technical expertise, evidence development, training and knowledge exchange. Dr Natasha Azzopardi-Muscat, Director of Health Systems at WHO/Europe, stressed that healthcare must remain centred on human interaction, even as AI becomes more widely available.
According to WHO/Europe, appropriately developed and regulated AI could contribute to more personalised and timely care while supporting healthcare professionals. The roadmap does not establish that these benefits have already been achieved across healthcare systems. Instead, it sets out the conditions and actions intended to support responsible implementation over the coming years. With all 53 Member States endorsing the framework, the next challenge will be translating shared policy commitments into national strategies, practical safeguards and measurable improvements in healthcare delivery.
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