France, Japan and the Law of AI
Summary of Guillaume Rousset's « Health and Technology: Issues and Analyses of French E-Health Law» held in Tokyo recently.
The "G" in KGRI stands for Global. In other words, Keio University Global Research Institute (KGRI) does not focus only on local matters. It's also interested in global issues, and this weekend, KGRI once again lived up to its name.
On Saturday, Oct. 28, Guillaume Rousset gave a talk at the ZHD-endowed course on the platform economy and sustainable societies—an initiative that brings together academics, practitioners and students to reflect on the development of better digital spaces.
During Rousset's workshop titled « Health and Technology: Issues and Analyses of French E-Health Law» the conversation moved fluidly from English to Japanese to French. So fluidly, in fact, that if I had not been there, I might have a hard time believing such a thing is possible. But the conversation was not only global in terms of languages—its content also felt global.
As a French Canadian, I am somewhat used to hearing French speakers. However, the fact that Rousset's lecture was designed for a Japanese audience spiced things up. There was an unusual je-ne-sais-quoi to Rousset's talk.
For instance, he talked about « géronto-technologies,» a topic that is particularly relevant in Japan, given that the country is aging at a faster rate than any other nation. « Is a robotized walking stick that stands up by itself after you drop it an AI system?» — Rousset asked. I admit that I had never thought about the definition of AI through this lens.
Moreover, Rousset also discussed the impact of digital technologies on state sovereignty over healthcare provision with audience members. The issue arose from two examples he gave. The first was the e-commerce of pharmaceuticals in France, and the second was the installation of telemedicine booths in a grocery store. Members of the audience wondered whether the private sector—and digital platforms in particular—could end up playing an even more prominent role in our lives if pharmacists and physicians no longer have to maintain a physical presence on the ground.
Finally, Rousset made two other points that caught my attention:
First, he emphasized the distinction between the uniformization of healthcare, which is desirable, and the standardization of healthcare, which isn't. The issue with standardization is that everybody is treated the same—regardless of their individual characteristics—which can be dehumanizing. This distinction is worth highlighting, given that one of the main talking points of AI promoters is that AI allows for more personalized care.
The second point is about competition law. Rousset, who's a pioneer in working at the intersection of health law and competition law, suggests that false advertising rules could be leveraged to prevent harm arising from the use of AI in health care. He says that we should pay more attention to this particular legal tool.
ありがとうございます to the team at KGRI for organizing this great event!
(And a few photos from Keio’s surroundings!)