Artificial intelligence tools used in healthcare need to be developed and tested using locally relevant data to ensure they work effectively for Māori and Pacific populations, University of Auckland Professor Robyn Whittaker says.
Prof Whittaker, co-director of the university’s TRANSFORM Research Centre, said many AI systems used internationally were trained on datasets that did not adequately represent Māori and Pacific populations.
“It is very unlikely these tools have been properly tested on Māori and Pacific communities,” Prof Whittaker said.
“There is still significant work needed to ensure they perform well for our people.”
Speaking at the Te Poutoko Ora a Kiwa Research Symposium, Prof Whittaker outlined the use of AI across predictive analytics, computer vision and generative AI in healthcare.
She pointed to predictive algorithms used during the Covid-19 pandemic to identify Pacific patients at greater risk of hospitalisation, allowing community hubs to prioritise care.
However, she said the effectiveness of such tools depended on high-quality, locally relevant data and appropriate digital infrastructure.
“These tools must be developed and tested in the local context to be useful for our communities,” she said.
Prof Whittaker also highlighted AI-powered imaging technologies, including retinal screening tools that could be deployed in community settings, while noting barriers including outdated systems, implementation challenges and community trust.
She described generative AI as a “game changer,” but also a “Wild West” environment because systems were trained on large amounts of largely unregulated internet data.
While generative AI had potential applications including reducing clinician workload through AI-generated clinical notes, she said outputs needed to be checked and appropriately governed.
“We are particularly concerned about bias, data sovereignty, and the control of Indigenous data,” she said.
Prof Whittaker said New Zealand and many Pacific nations lacked specific legislation regulating AI in healthcare.
Her team has been involved in national work to evaluate AI tools through a multidisciplinary expert advisory group, with a focus on safety, ethics, equity and Pacific perspectives.
“There is huge potential, but also huge pitfalls. We need to work together to ensure AI is implemented in ways that are safe, ethical, and equitable for all,” she said.
Te Poutoko Ora a Kiwa co-director Professor Sir Collin Tukuitonga said the issue went beyond introducing new technology.
“For our communities, this is not just about innovation – it is about ensuring new technologies do not widen existing inequities, but instead support better, fairer health outcomes across the Pacific.”
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