AI in medicine: opportunities and ethical challenges for the future

AI in medicine: opportunities and ethical challenges for the future

The discussion about the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in medical practice has increased significantly in recent years. Especially after the symposium "Man and AI. The future of medicine and care", which was organized by the Institute for Medical Anthropology and Bioethics (Imabe) in the Vienna Raiffeisen Forum at the beginning of November. Around 200 participants and international experts from various disciplines came together to debate the opportunities and challenges of AI in the healthcare system. This exchange will soon be published in the form of a conference band and as an audio.

A central concern of the symposium was the critical examination of the expectations that are placed on AI. Giovanni Maio, a German ethicist, warned that more data about the patients do not automatically lead to better diagnoses. "It would be a disregard for medical responsibility to follow an algorithm unreflected," said Maio and emphasized that AI could only represent a partial aspect of a complex medical reality.

The strengths of the AI in image diagnostics

Nevertheless, there are areas in which the AI offers promising solutions. Harald Kittler, a Viennese dermatologist, referred to the possibilities of AI in imaging diagnostics, especially in the detection of skin cancer. There Ki could definitely show superiority towards human doctors. However, it is not about a competitive relationship between man and machine, but about cooperation. Kittler introduces himself to the development of an app that allows users to check skin changes themselves in order to be at the family doctor faster. However, there are also concerns here that such technologies could produce false diagnoses, which could create unnecessary patient snakes.

Surprisingly, inexperienced doctors stated in the symposium to be supported most by AI. However, the risk is that less experienced doctors blindly trust the results of faulty AI models. The fact that studies of medicine has so far hardly been criticized for dealing with AI.

Another focus of the event was on the possible uses of robots in nursing. Arne Manzeschke, a gerontologist, made it clear that robots could make sense for logistical tasks, but not for interpersonal interactions in nursing. Manzeschke warned of a potential "intellectual inertia" in dealing with ethical questions about AI, which could be problematic for both development and application.

The importance of the human component

The symposium also addressed the often expressed hope that AI could give nursing staff more time for the direct care of patients. Giovanni Rubeis, a biomedician, pointed out that the transfer of data -related tasks to AI can be useful, but should not lead to a "digitally monitored patient". Critics such as the President of the Austrian Association of Occupational Science, Mona, clarify that there is no evidence that AI actually brings more time for patient contact. Instead, the time gained could simply be used to treat even more patients quickly.

A central point that was repeatedly brought up was the need for a human dimension in medicine. Oskar Aszmann, a plastic surgeon, made it clear that no technology could replace the feeling of human touch. The human hand is essential for well -being due to its sensory perception and could not be replaced by technical solutions.

Progress in AI and its implementation in medical practice depends heavily on the political will, because the current health system often does not reward innovative approaches. Jama Natqui, a pioneer in the medical AI, emphasized the need to further promote the development of AI tools that are geared towards efficiency and patient well-being.

In all of these progress, the basic question remains, which makes “good” medicine and care. The Imabe Director Susanne Kummer summarized that the technology should be viewed as a tool in order to maintain the ethos of care and empathy. A balance between the possibilities of AI and the essential human component must be found in medicine.

The knowledge and discussions of the symposium will soon be published in an issue of the magazine "Bio.ethik.Praxis", which will continue to deal with these important questions of medical ethics.

Source: Kathpress