IAEA Conference Charts Future of Radiation Protection in Medicine Amid Rapid Innovation

New imaging technologies, digital platforms, AI systems, and groundbreaking radiopharmaceuticals are reshaping diagnostics and treatment.

The International Conference on Radiation Protection in Medicine: X Ray Vision, convened by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and co-sponsored by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), has brought together global leaders to discuss the future of radiation protection in an era marked by rapid technological transformation.

The week-long conference unites over 672 participants from 123 countries and 22 international organizations, reflecting unprecedented global interest in ensuring safe and equitable use of medical radiation technologies.

Radiation Use in Medicine Is Growing—So Are Safety Needs

Each year:

• 4.2 billion medical radiological examinations take place globally

• 6.2 million radiation therapy treatments are administered

New imaging technologies, digital platforms, AI systems, and groundbreaking radiopharmaceuticals are reshaping diagnostics and treatment. While these advances enhance patient outcomes, they also change exposure patterns and introduce new safety challenges.

IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi emphasized the need for vigilance:

“These advances bring enormous benefits, but they also create new challenges for regulators and health professionals. We must keep up to ensure these technologies are employed safely.”

He highlighted the IAEA’s Rays of Hope initiative, which expands access to radiotherapy and nuclear medicine while building strong national capacities in safety and regulation.

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A Decade After the Bonn Call for Action: Assessing Progress and Setting New Priorities

The conference marks a pivotal moment to assess global progress since the 2012 Bonn Call for Action, which set ten priority goals aimed at improving:

• Justification of procedures

• Optimization of radiation dose

• Education and training

• Patient and worker protection

• Quality assurance and safety culture

Over the past decade, regulators, scientific bodies, and professional societies have made meaningful strides. Yet technological innovation and surging demand mean the work is far from finished.

Participants will help shape a new call to action for the next decade, ensuring safety frameworks evolve alongside medical advancements.

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Key Themes: Artificial Intelligence, Safety Culture, and Equity

Dynamic sessions and roundtables will cover a wide spectrum of priorities:

1. Artificial Intelligence in Imaging and Therapy

AI offers enormous potential for:

• Real-time radiation dose monitoring

• Predictive modelling to prevent accidental exposures

• Faster image analysis and improved diagnostic accuracy

Dr. Rüdiger Krech, Director at WHO, underscored both potential and responsibility:

“Our responsibility is to ensure these breakthroughs are equitably accessible so all regions can benefit from technological progress.”

2. Lessons from Accidental and Unintended Exposures

Participants will analyze past incidents to strengthen prevention strategies and foster a proactive safety culture.

3. Regional Perspectives on Rising Demand

In the Americas and other regions, rising use of ionizing radiation requires robust regulatory oversight and trained professionals.

PAHO’s Senior Advisor Pablo Jiménez noted:

“Quality assurance programmes and well-trained professionals are essential to maximize benefits and minimize risks. Technology must translate into safer care for all.”

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IAEA’s Central Role in Global Radiation Safety

The IAEA leads global efforts to establish and promote international safety standards for radiation protection in:

• Diagnostic imaging

• Nuclear medicine

• Radiotherapy

Its support helps countries:

• Minimize unnecessary or unintended exposures

• Implement evidence-based practices

• Train medical and technical staff

• Strengthen safety culture across health systems

Through technical cooperation, training programmes, and initiatives like Rays of Hope, the IAEA ensures radiation-based technologies remain both effective and safe, especially in low- and middle-income countries working to expand access.

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Building a Safer Future in Medical Radiation

As technologies evolve rapidly and global demand rises, the conference aims to forge a shared vision for the future—one that balances innovation with robust safety systems, equity, and patient-centered care.

By aligning international expertise and reaffirming commitments to safety standards, the IAEA and its partners hope to ensure that the next decade of medical radiation advances delivers safer, more effective care for patients and protection for medical professionals worldwide.