OAKBROOK TERRACE, Ill. — The Joint Commission has launched a voluntary certification program for hospitals and health systems seeking to demonstrate responsible governance of artificial intelligence, the healthcare accrediting organization said this month, as AI tools become increasingly integrated into clinical and administrative operations.
The new program, called Responsible Use of AI in Healthcare (RUAIH), was announced on June 1 and is designed to recognize healthcare organizations that have established governance structures, safeguards, monitoring processes and staff education programs for the use of AI. The certification is voluntary and focuses on how organizations manage and oversee AI systems rather than evaluating individual AI products.
The Joint Commission said the certification fulfills a commitment it made in 2025 after releasing initial guidance on AI adoption developed in collaboration with healthcare and technology experts. According to the organization, more than 20 coalitions and stakeholder groups contributed to the development of the framework.
“AI has the potential to unlock discoveries and improve quality, safety, and operating efficiency,” Joint Commission President and Chief Executive Officer Jonathan B. Perlin said in a statement announcing the certification. “With this new certification, Joint Commission is providing healthcare organizations with the blueprint for safely and appropriately using AI.”
The certification standards are organized around five areas: governance, data management, risk and bias reduction, monitoring and validation of AI performance, and transparency and training. Hospitals seeking certification must demonstrate policies and procedures addressing issues such as patient privacy, data security, oversight, bias mitigation and staff education, according to Joint Commission materials.
The initiative comes as healthcare organizations increasingly adopt AI applications for clinical documentation, imaging analysis, administrative tasks and decision support. The Joint Commission cited concerns related to patient safety, privacy, data accuracy and transparency as reasons for establishing a formal governance framework.
Industry groups welcomed the move. The Coalition for Health AI, or CHAI, said the certification aligns with governance guidance the organization has developed for healthcare providers. “We believe this alignment will greatly reduce confusion and help to accelerate rapid and responsible adoption of AI in healthcare,” CHAI Chief Executive Officer Brian Anderson said in the Joint Commission announcement.
Healthcare technology publications described the program as one of the first certification efforts focused specifically on organizational AI governance in healthcare settings. The certification does not serve as regulatory approval and does not certify the safety or effectiveness of individual AI tools.
The Joint Commission said hospitals do not need to hold its accreditation to apply for the certification. As of June, the program was available to eligible U.S. hospitals, critical-access hospitals and health systems that centrally govern AI use across multiple facilities.
