Central South Dakota News

U.S. Senators Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), co-chairs of the Senate Artificial Intelligence (AI) Caucus, have introduced legislation aimed at leveraging AI for national pandemic preparedness and response through a program called MedShield. This initiative follows a recommendation from the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence.

MedShield is designed to be the United States' "shield" against future pandemics, addressing issues that emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic. The program aims to foster collaboration between public and private sectors as well as with global allies and partners. It will leverage AI to enhance U.S. pandemic prevention and response across five key areas: pathogen detection and surveillance, vaccine development, therapeutic development, modeling for pathogen tracking and vaccine distribution, and rapid manufacturing of vaccines and therapeutics.

Senator Rounds emphasized the importance of strategic investments in pandemic prevention: “Given the millions of deaths and trillions of dollars in economic costs resulting from COVID-19, we need to make strategic investments in pandemic prevention and preparedness. I believe AI should play a key role in those efforts.” He added that MedShield would help identify pathogens posing pandemic threats and quickly develop necessary protections.

Senator Heinrich highlighted AI's potential: “AI holds amazing potential to supercharge major scientific and medical advances – including our ability to anticipate and address the next public health crisis.” He noted that the MedShield Act provides significant advantages in preparing for new biological threats.

Ylli Bajraktari, former Executive Director of the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence, praised the legislation: "I strongly support and applaud Senators Rounds’ and Heinrich’s leadership in introducing legislation to create the MedShield program." He pointed out that this initiative addresses critical needs highlighted by COVID-19 by combining AI with human ingenuity.

José-Marie Griffiths, President of Dakota State University, expressed enthusiasm for MedShield: “When we embrace the full potential of artificial intelligence to address complex problems such as pandemics, we can find new solutions for serious issues.”

Sheila K. Gestring, President of the University of South Dakota, also supported the initiative: “AI plays a powerful role in health care and community health... Through smart use of AI, we have an opportunity to improve human lives.”

Dr. Lance Roberts from South Dakota School of Mines remarked on AI's necessity given data growth rates: “Data is being created at an exponential rate...the use of AI is a necessity.”

Dr. Shanna O’Connor from South Dakota State University highlighted how AI could strengthen healthcare response infrastructure: “The 'MedShield Act of 2024' presents an opportunity to leverage cutting-edge AI technologies.”

The legislation includes findings addressing national preparedness needs based on NSCAI recommendations. It mandates operationalizing AI within the Department of Health and Human Services for implementing these recommendations. Funding authorization spans fiscal years 2025–2029.

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