The ethical and legal challenges of using generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) in healthcare were the focus of a recent webinar organized by Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar (WCM-Q) and Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU). The online event, titled Automated Healthcare: ChatGPT, Bing, Bard & the Law of Generative AI, aimed to explore the available generative AI tools for healthcare professionals, the associated legal and ethical risks, and the limitations of existing regulations.
The panel of expert speakers included professionals from diverse backgrounds, such as Dr. Thurayya Arayssi, Vice Dean for Academic and Curricular Affairs at WCM-Q, and Dr. Barry Solaiman, Assistant Professor of Law at HBKU College of Law. Additionally, speakers from various institutions, including LinkedIn, Penn State Dickinson Law, University of Houston, and Harvard Law School, contributed to the discussion.
Generative AI systems have the potential to assist in various healthcare tasks, including clinical decision support, medical recordkeeping, patient triage, and mental health support. They can also aid in drug discovery, clinical documentation, treatment planning, and advanced imaging. However, during the webinar, participants highlighted the legal and ethical challenges associated with these technologies.
One of the key concerns discussed was the potential impact of generative AI on the way virtual assistants interact with patients. The introduction of AI systems could change the dynamics of patient-provider relationships. Furthermore, participants also noted the absence of a comprehensive legislative framework governing the use of generative AI in healthcare.
Dr. Solaiman emphasized the importance of establishing guidelines to address biases in the data used to train generative AI systems, as this remains a significant topic of discussion. Some hospitals are already considering implementing these systems, raising questions about ownership of information generated by AI and the accountability of healthcare professionals if something goes wrong.
In his presentation, Dr. Farooq examined the uses and risks of generative AI systems. He highlighted potential privacy, trust, safety, low interpretability, bias, misuse, and over-reliance risks associated with training AI models on various types of data, such as texts, images, audio, and videos.
The webinar provided a platform for healthcare professionals, researchers, educators, and students to gain insights into the legal and ethical implications of using generative AI in healthcare. By bringing together experts from different fields, the event facilitated a balanced discussion that explored both the benefits and challenges associated with these technologies.
As the healthcare sector continues to explore the potential of generative AI, it is crucial to address the legal, ethical, and societal ramifications of its implementation. Collaborative efforts between healthcare institutions, legal experts, and policymakers are necessary to establish guidelines and regulations that promote responsible and ethical use of generative AI in healthcare settings.
