"The knife that humanity invented can cut bread, but it can also take a life. Yet people did not stop using knives. Artificial intelligence is the same. We need proper regulation and accountability so that risk does not prevent us from tapping the potential of the technology."
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the World Health Organization, made the remarks to reporters on the 21st after jointly issuing the Seoul Declaration on AI Health Care with South Korea's Ministry of Health and Welfare at the 2026 World Bio Summit, held at COEX Magok in Seoul's Gangseo district. His point was that with AI emerging as a core technology driving medical innovation, its use should be expanded even as the risks are managed.
The ministry and the WHO jointly released the Seoul Declaration on AI Health Care for Responsible Innovation and Global Solidarity on the same day. It is the first time the Korean government and the WHO director-general have jointly announced international principles on the use of AI in health care. The declaration sets out principles that the benefits of AI innovation should not be concentrated in particular countries or social groups, and that safe and responsible use of the technology should narrow health care gaps between countries.
"AI is a technology that will bring innovation and benefits to health care," Tedros said. "Making the fullest possible use of AI's potential is more important than anything." He added that countries must "reduce the risks that come with its use, based on a sense of responsibility, while making the fullest use of AI's potential," stressing the balance between technological progress and regulation.
Health and Welfare Minister Jeong Eun-kyeong also underscored the safety of medical AI and equitable access to it. "This declaration was prepared to realize AI for all," she said. "We will take the lead in spreading essential AI health care, so that no one is left behind and everyone shares equally in the benefits of AI innovation."
The Seoul Declaration is organized broadly around technology and investment, AI accountability and risk management, global cooperation and health security, and implementation and follow-up measures. First, the two sides agreed to expand international joint research to drive innovation in the health industry using AI and to tackle difficult problems in health care. They also agreed to strengthen the foundation for using medical data and to increase research and development spending and infrastructure investment, while giving priority to fields where medical needs remain unmet.
The declaration also stressed a management framework to secure the safety and accountability of medical AI. It calls for oversight systems proportionate to the purpose of AI use and the level of risk involved, and for raising the capacity of medical professionals to use AI. The two sides also agreed to expand cooperation among national governments, the medical community, AI developers and international organizations on using AI for the early detection of public health crises, strengthening cybersecurity and ensuring biosecurity. In implementing the declaration, however, each country is to respect its own domestic law and national circumstances.
The summit marked Tedros's first visit to South Korea since taking office. It was the first visit by a WHO director-general in 11 years, since former Director-General Margaret Chan came to the country in 2015 to attend the International Council of Nurses congress.
The event also featured a Leaders' Dialogue to discuss how to put the Seoul Declaration into practice. Chaired by Baek Nam-jong, president of Seoul National University Hospital, the session brought together Alain Labrique, director of data, digital health, analytics and AI at the WHO; Henri Gaillard, president of the International Hospital Federation; and Jane Halton, chair of the board of the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, to discuss building the groundwork for medical AI innovation, its responsible use and sustainable international cooperation.
This year's World Bio Summit, held under the theme of spreading the bio-health innovation that AI will bring, runs for two days through the 22nd. Participants are discussing drug development and clinical trials using AI, innovation in hospital operations, and investment and global cooperation for medical AI research and development.
The World Bio Summit is an international event that the Korean government and the WHO have co-hosted since 2022 to respond to infectious disease crises and strengthen global health security. This year it is taking up the advance of medical AI technology and the narrowing of health care gaps between countries as its main agenda items.
High-level bilateral meetings are also being held during the event. Jeong is scheduled to meet the health ministers of Turkey, Armenia, Tunisia and Qatar to discuss cooperation in areas including medical AI, digital health and overseas expansion by Korean pharmaceutical companies. Vice Minister of Health and Welfare Lee Hyung-hoon will also discuss health cooperation with vice health ministers from Lithuania, Angola and Kazakhstan and with senior officials from Unitaid, the international drug purchasing facility.