The Assembly Joint Hearing Health Committee and Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee convened on May 28, 2025, to discuss the implications of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare, particularly within California's safety net systems. The meeting highlighted the potential benefits and challenges of AI adoption in health services, emphasizing the need for responsible implementation.

One of the key discussions centered on the use of AI to address pressing social issues, such as homelessness. A representative from Los Angeles County shared an AI model designed to identify individuals at high risk of homelessness by analyzing data from various sectors, including emergency room visits and food assistance records. This initiative has reportedly helped over 700 individuals, with 86% maintaining stable housing, showcasing AI's potential to facilitate proactive interventions in public health.

Another example presented was from the El Sol Neighborhood Educational Center, which utilizes AI tools to enhance the efficiency of community health workers serving limited English-speaking and immigrant populations. These tools assist in managing tasks and monitoring programs, demonstrating AI's role in improving healthcare delivery to underserved communities.

The meeting also addressed the importance of ensuring that AI systems are safe, equitable, and trustworthy. Stakeholders, including healthcare organizations, expressed a strong interest in adopting AI but highlighted significant barriers, such as financial constraints and the need for clear regulatory guidance on issues like liability and privacy. The California Health Care Foundation (CHCF) is currently engaging in a listening exercise to gather input from patients about their expectations and concerns regarding AI in healthcare.

Concerns about workforce impacts were also raised, with discussions on how AI could alleviate burdens on healthcare professionals while potentially displacing some jobs. Policymakers were urged to consider how AI can be leveraged to support the healthcare workforce and improve patient care.

In conclusion, the meeting underscored that while AI adoption in California's healthcare system is still in its early stages, there is a unique opportunity for policymakers to shape its development. By focusing on data availability, workforce readiness, and patient trust, California can lay a solid foundation for the future of AI in healthcare, ensuring that innovations benefit all communities, particularly those in the safety net.