Joint Commission Launches Voluntary AI Certification Program for Healthcare Organizations

The Joint Commission, the nation’s leading accrediting body for healthcare providers, announced a new Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare (RUAIH) certification program. The program is open to any hospital or health system, regardless of previous accreditation status, and is designed to recognize organizations that have established robust governance, monitoring, and education processes for AI tools.

Dr. Jonathan B. Perlin, president and CEO of the Joint Commission, emphasized that the initiative’s goal is to “provide governance support for delivering the safest and highest quality care for U.S. health systems across the care continuum.” With more than 80% of physicians already integrating AI into their practice, the certification seeks to set universal standards that balance innovation with patient safety.

RUAIH’s five core areas of focus are:
- Governance and effective data management
- Risk and bias reduction
- Monitoring, evaluating, and validating safety performance
- Transparency, education, and training

The certification does not replace existing Joint Commission accreditation; it simply provides a blueprint for safely adopting AI. Through the program, organizations can demonstrate their commitment to ethical AI practices, including clear policies, risk assessments, and ongoing performance reviews.

In conjunction with the certification, the Coalition for Health AI (CHAI) has released governance playbooks developed by over 150 health AI leaders. These playbooks address eight critical components of responsible AI use, such as policy, organizational structure, data management, and third‑party oversight. The playbooks are intended to help health systems integrate necessary controls into their existing workflows, translating intent into measurable governance.

Health leaders e.g., Aaron Miri of Baptist Health, have welcomed the certification, noting that “AI tools become increasingly embedded in our clinical, operational, administrative, and care‑support workflows,” and that the new framework ensures continued trust and safety.

HIMSS will host a one‑day AI Executive Leadership Summit in Boston on June 24, followed by an AI in Healthcare Forum on June 25‑26, where participants can explore the new certification and governance tools.

In summary, the Joint Commission’s voluntary AI certification program represents a proactive step toward standardizing responsible AI use in healthcare. By focusing on governance, data integrity, bias mitigation, and transparent education, the program aims to protect patients while fostering innovation across the industry.

For more information and to apply for the RUAIH certification, healthcare organizations can visit the Joint Commission’s website or contact the certification office directly.