AI’s Hippocratic Oath
7 Pillars to Guide Ethical Healthcare Innovation
Healthcare stands on the cusp of an AI revolution. But with great power comes great responsibility. Let's explore the 7 ethical pillars that could guide us in this brave new world (each week we’ll delve into each principle in more detail):
Do Good, Avoid Harm (Beneficence and Non-maleficence) • AI must benefit patients above all else • Rigorous testing is crucial to prevent/mitigate unintended consequences
Respect Patient Choice (Autonomy and Informed Consent) • Transparency is vital: patients should know when and how AI is involved in both patient care and use of their data • Human oversight ensures AI complements, not replaces, doctor-patient relationships
Fairness for All (Justice and Equity) • AI must serve everyone equally, regardless of background • Diverse development and stakeholder teams help create inclusive solutions
Guard Patient Privacy (Privacy and Data Protection) • Robust data protection is essential • Patients control how their information is used
Clear Lines of Responsibility (Accountability and Responsibility) • Establish who's accountable when AI is involved in care • Regular audits are essential to monitor AI systems
Explain AI Decisions (Explainability and Interpretability) • Understanding AI reasoning helps healthcare professionals make better decisions • Patients deserve clear explanations of AI-assisted diagnoses and decision-making
Champion Cultural Diversity (Cultural Sensitivity and Inclusivity) • Include diverse perspectives across the AI lifecycle • AI should adapt to different healthcare practices worldwide
These principles form a roadmap to helps us keep patients and ethical principles at the heart of everything we do; balancing innovation and outcomes.
