“Reprogramming Governance” Series Launches with Discussion on Ethical AI in Healthcare

A full room and an engaged audience marked the launch of “Reprogramming Governance: Ethical AI in Science and Health” on October 9, 2026. Held at Columbia Law School, the opening event, “Governing AI in Health,” brought together experts in ethics, medicine, and law to explore how governance can keep artificial intelligence ethical, trustworthy, and centered on patients.

Sandra Soo-Jin Lee, Chief of the Division of Ethics and Professor of Medical Humanities and Ethics at Columbia University, opened the program. She was joined by Noémie Elhadad of Columbia University, I. Glenn Cohen of Harvard University, and Michelle Mello of Stanford University. Together, the speakers examined frameworks and oversight mechanisms for ensuring that AI serves the interests of patients and society.

Audience members contributed thoughtful questions during the Q&A, extending the conversation about the responsibilities that accompany AI’s growing role in healthcare and biomedical research.

The series is part of the Data Science Institute’s Frontiers in Data Science and AI initiative. It brings Columbia’s interdisciplinary expertise to questions of ethical stewardship, accountability, and trustworthiness in health-related AI, with upcoming programming exploring health equity and clinical AI.

Learn more about the series and upcoming events.

Explore the work of the AI Oversight & Governance Workgroup.