Ethical use of AI in healthcare

The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised concerns about the ethical use of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare. The WHO cautioned against artificial intelligence (AI) for public healthcare. The data used by AI to reach decisions could be biased or misused and advised caution while using the technology.

The World Health Organization (WHO) is calling for caution to be exercised in using artificial intelligence (AI) generated large language model tools (LLMs) to protect and promote human well-being, human safety, and autonomy, and preserve public health.

LLMs include some of the most rapidly expanding platforms such as ChatGPT, Bard, Bert and many others that imitate understanding, processing, and producing human communication. Their meteoric public diffusion and growing experimental use for health-related purposes is generating significant excitement around the potential to support people’s health needs.

It is imperative that the risks be examined carefully when using LLMs to improve access to health information, as a decision-support tool, or even to enhance diagnostic capacity in under-resourced settings to protect people’s health and reduce inequity.

The WHO has called for the development of ethical guidelines for the use of AI in healthcare. These guidelines should aim to ensure that AI systems are used in a way that protects patients and respects their rights.

Some of the ethical principles that could be included in these guidelines include:

• Respect for autonomy: Patients should have the right to choose whether or not to use AI-based healthcare services.

• Non-maleficence: AI systems should not cause harm to patients.

• Beneficence: AI systems should be designed to benefit patients.

• Justice: AI systems should be used in a way that is fair and equitable.

The development of ethical guidelines for the use of AI in healthcare is an important step in ensuring that this technology is used in a safe and responsible way. WHO proposes that these concerns be addressed, and clear evidence of benefit be measured before their widespread use in routine health

care and medicine – whether by individuals, care providers or health system administrators and policy-makers.

WHO outlines it is important to be aware of these risks when considering the use of AI in healthcare. By carefully considering the potential risks and benefits, we can help to ensure that AI is used in a way that is safe, effective, and ethical.