The AI Ethics Crisis in Healthcare: Building Ethical AI with Oversight (feat. Dr. Christine Cassel)

TCAST: The Future of Data & AI

In this episode of Tartlecast, Dr. Christine Cassel, a physician specializing in geriatric medicine and bioethics, discusses the ethical considerations surrounding the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare. She emphasizes the importance of applying the fundamental principles of bioethics—respect, beneficence, and justice—to the development and implementation of AI systems. Dr. Cassel and her research partner, Dr. Ida Sim, recently published an article in the New England Journal of Medicine on this topic.

Key Takeaways:

• The rapid advancement of AI in healthcare necessitates a proactive approach to ethical oversight.

• A national network of health AI ethics centers should be established to develop guidelines, coordinate implementation strategies, and monitor ethical practices.

• Real-time ethical oversight is crucial to address the evolving challenges posed by AI.

• Collaboration between healthcare organizations, tech companies, and government agencies is essential to ensure ethical AI practices.

• Patients and clinicians should be actively involved in the decision-making process to address individual needs and preferences.

Chapter Summaries:

• 00:00 Introduction and Background: Introduction of Dr. Christine Cassel and her background in geriatric medicine and bioethics. Discussion of her recent article in the New England Journal of Medicine on the ethics of AI in healthcare.

• 06:36 The Importance of Ethics in AI: Explanation of bioethics and its relevance to healthcare decision-making. Discussion of ethical dilemmas in medicine and the need for ethical frameworks in AI development.

• 14:19 The Ethics of Relational AI: Introduction of Dr. Ida Sim and her expertise in computer science and health AI. Discussion of the Belmont Report and its three principles: respect, beneficence, and justice.

• 23:46 Establishing Ethical Calculus in AI: Exploration of the challenges in implementing ethical principles in AI, particularly in the context of large language models and generative AI. Discussion of the need for real-time ethical oversight and accountability frameworks.

• 30:01 Moral Injury and Burnout in Healthcare: Definition of moral injury and its impact on healthcare professionals. Discussion of the potential for AI to contribute to moral injury and burnout. Emphasis on the importance of clinician well-being and trust in AI systems.

• 44:02 Call to Action: Proactive Health AI Ethics Centers: Dr. Cassel's call for the creation of a national network of proactive health AI ethics centers. Discussion of the role of these centers in developing guidelines, coordinating implementation strategies, and monitoring ethical practices.

• 48:49 Closing Remarks: Dr. Cassel's closing thoughts on the importance of bridging the divide between technology and ethics in healthcare. Emphasis on the need for collaboration and proactive measures to ensure ethical AI practices.