1

Ethical Implications of Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare

Student’s Name

Institutional Affiliation

Course Number and Name

Instructor Name

Due Date
 2

Ethical Implications of Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare

The ethical implications of artificial intelligence (AI) for health care are profound,

touching on patient privacy, bias, accountability, and the doctor-patient relationship. Multiple

ethical considerations balance AI’s potential to transform healthcare through predictive

analytics.

Privacy and confidentiality: AI systems often require access to large amounts of

personal health information to function well. Ensuring that this data remains secure and

confidential is critical. A breach could cause the disclosure of sensitive information,

compromising patient trust and confidentiality (Amedior, 2023). Robust data security policies

and transparent data processing policies are needed to mitigate these risks.

Bias and Fairness: AI algorithms can inadvertently perpetuate or even exacerbate

existing biases in training data. For example, if an AI system is trained primarily on data from a

specific population, it may not work well for underrepresented groups, leading to disparities in

care (Schönberger, 2019). Ethical AI development requires diverse datasets and ongoing

research to identify and correct biases.

Accountability and Responsibility: Determining responsibility when AI systems go

wrong is a complicated issue. If an AI system misdiagnoses a patient, it’s unclear whether the

blame lies with the software developers, health care providers, or the company (Amedior, 2023).

Clear regulatory frameworks and guidelines are needed to show accountability and ensure that

patients can hold themselves accountable in the event of an AI-induced risk.

Doctor-Patient Relationships: The assimilation of AI into healthcare could transform

the dynamics of the doctor-patient relationship. While AI can provide valuable insights and help,

it is crucial to preserve the human element of care (Karimian, Petelos, & Evers, 2022). Patients
 3

may feel alienated or less valued if they perceive their care to be driven more by algorithms than

by empathetic healthcare providers.

In conclusion, while AI has the potential to dramatically boost healthcare delivery, it also

raises ethical concerns that need to be addressed to ensure quality, safety, and depending on

patients. Balancing technological progress with ethical safeguards is vital to responsibly realizing

the value of AI in healthcare.

 4

References

Amedior, N. C. (2023). Ethical implications of artificial intelligence in the healthcare

sector. Adv. Multidiscip. Sci. Res. J. Publ, 36, 1-12.

Karimian, G., Petelos, E., & Evers, S. M. (2022). The ethical issues of the application of artificial

intelligence in healthcare: a systematic scoping review. AI and Ethics, 2(4), 539-551.

Schönberger, D. (2019). Artificial intelligence in healthcare: a critical analysis of the legal and

ethical implications. International Journal of Law and Information Technology, 27(2),

171-203.