For the first time ever, Youth Ambassadors from the DBJW annual German-Baltic Conference had the opportunity to present their policy papers at national parliamentary hearings across Germany, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. On November 29th, 2024, Cluster B, which addressed AI in Healthcare, shared its insights and recommendations with MPs at the Latvian Parliament in Riga. This article captures the reflections of a Young Journalist, Sarah Mackel, who attended the session, exploring her impressions of the discussions and key takeaways.
Cluster B at the Latvian Parliament
Sarah Mackel
On November 27, 2024, the AI in Healthcare cluster from the German-Baltic Conference gathered in Riga, Latvia, to present five months of research to the Latvian Saeima. This marked their first in-person meeting since finalizing their policy paper in Lithuania, where they had spent four days tailoring recommendations for AI integration into Latvia’s healthcare system.
Parliamentary assistant Visvaldis Bērziņš, a conference alumnus himself, welcomed the group before leading them on a tour of the historic Saeima building. Youth ambassadors were introduced to Latvia’s legislative process, current political debates, and the workings of parliament. The group then moved to another Saeima building for a hearing, attended by three Members of Parliament, including Aiga Balode, Deputy State Secretary for Digitalization at the Latvian Ministry of Health, and Jana Simanovska, a parliamentarian with expertise in environmental and health policy.
At the heart of the discussion was Latvia’s post-COVID recovery and how to reduce pressure on the nation’s healthcare system. With challenges ranging from workforce shortages to digital transformation, the debate explored how innovation—especially AI—could play a role in shaping the future of healthcare.
Cluster B’s policy paper proposed several applications of AI and digital technologies here, including:
A centralized electronic health record system to reduce diagnostic delays by giving doctors faster access to patient histories.
Interdisciplinary health communication platforms, similar to Ukraine’s e-Health system, to streamline specialist collaboration.
Digital twin technology to improve pandemic preparedness by simulating disease spread and resource needs.
AI-driven automation of administrative tasks like appointment scheduling, freeing up medical staff for patient care.
Enhanced AI-supported diagnostics, offering doctors faster, data-driven recommendations.
The youth ambassadors also emphasised the need for compliance with EU data privacy regulations, ensuring that patients control who accesses their data and that all actions are logged for transparency. They highlighted AI’s potential in medical research—tools like KNIT, which summarize and analyse research papers, could help doctors stay up to date with the latest medical findings, improving treatment outcomes and disease prevention. Beyond healthcare improvements, these innovations could lead to economic benefits by reducing inefficiencies and redirecting resources toward salaries and equipment.
While there was broad agreement on AI’s potential, the discussion also raised several critical concerns. Legal accountability in AI-assisted medical decisions was a major issue—ensuring that responsibility remains with human healthcare professionals, even when AI plays a role. They also discussed AI’s environmental impact, questioning how the technology’s high energy demands align with Latvia’s goal of carbon neutrality by 2050.
Cybersecurity risks were another focal point. CERT.LV, Latvia’s cybersecurity reporting platform, has highlighted increasing cyber threats in recent years, raising questions about the safety of centralising healthcare records. Policymakers also examined the feasibility of implementing AI solutions across Latvia, especially in rural areas where infrastructure gaps could limit accessibility.
Despite these concerns, there was broad agreement that AI could play a vital role in improving Latvia’s healthcare system, provided that it is introduced thoughtfully and incrementally. The parliamentarians acknowledged the value of engaging with young, innovative voices but stressed the importance of a balanced approach to AI integration.
Overall, the discussion underscored that integrating AI into Latvia’s healthcare system is not a straightforward set of decisions. While digitalisation and artificial intelligence have the potential to increase efficiency and improve patient outcomes, they also introduce legal, ethical, and infrastructural challenges that need careful navigation. The key challenge lies in balancing these factors—i.e., leveraging innovation without compromising security, accessibility, or accountability.
For those involved, this was more than just an academic discussion—it was an opportunity to contribute to ongoing policy conversations in the EU; through participating in this hearing, participants had the chance to share their insights with policymakers and have their voices heard. The session ended with discussions about future collaboration, with parliamentarians and students exploring opportunities for internships, further research presentations, and partnerships with other stakeholders. This dialogue opened doors for ongoing engagement between policymakers and the next generation.
The dialogue also made clear that progress will not only depend on technological advancements, but also on thoughtful policymaking and inclusive discussions. As these conversations continue, the focus will need to remain on ensuring that any policy decisions serve the needs of patients, healthcare professionals, and society as a whole.
In the end, this exchange wasn’t just academic or political—it was a tangible opportunity for young people to influence policy and participate in meaningful conversations. The hearing showed that current leaders are open to new perspectives, and that young people have a say in the decisions being made in the world that they will grow into. The initiative, supported by the German-Baltic Future Foundation, ensured that the next generation’s perspectives will be heard in shaping the future of healthcare in Latvia.