What happened
The CDC published a Request for Information in the Federal Register on September 21, 2026 (Docket CDC-2026-1519, 91 FR 59777) seeking public input on how data intermediaries can support secure, scalable, standards-based public health data exchange. The RFI explicitly asks (Question II.B-5) how artificial intelligence capabilities may affect data intermediaries' technical, governance, and operational roles — including accelerating, replacing, or distributing functions.
Why it matters
The RFI signals how US public-health infrastructure may incorporate AI-driven data intermediation and AI attestation/maturity evidence, which could become baseline expectations for health-data and AI vendors working with public-health agencies. Comments may shape a future evaluation and eventual procurement or interoperability standards.
Action needed
Comments are due by November 20, 2026 via regulations.gov (docket CDC-2026-1519); health-data intermediaries and AI vendors serving public health should consider responding to the AI-specific questions.