In Merriam Webster, AI, otherwise known as “Artificial Intelligence,” is defined as “a software designed to imitate aspects of intelligent human behavior” [1]. Interestingly, the word “imitate” is a prevalent idea that appeared throughout several research articles. As the role of technology increases throughout society, so does the pressing issue of AI. There are many conflicting opinions on AI, with many supporters and disapprovers. Before analyzing the advent of AI into the medical field and into surgery, we must first look at AI in the fabric of the world today. With the expansion of industries into a global stage, and the extent of globalization overall, efficiency and time have increased in value. In this way, AI is extremely convenient. Nonetheless, there are concerns over AI potentially developing its own consciousness and a will of its own through repeated machine learning and data inputs, which raises questions over dignity. If AI is emulating human behavior, is there a possibility that AI could eventually attain the inherent autonomy humans possess? Will imitation lead to life? There are also concerns of AI eventually replacing human labor. Therefore, AI is a very contentious topic relevant to many of today’s ethical issues.
Let’s take a look at another definition of artificial intelligence. Tai states that AI has many definitions: for example, some people define AI as “...created technology that allows computers and machines to function intelligently” or as a “...tool that emulates the “cognitive” abilities of the natural intelligence of human minds” [2]. Even in this definition, there is an aspect of machines imitating human behavior and human learning. This article poses the question: “Do human-beings really need artificial intelligence?” Addressing this question is crucial when contemplating the integration of AI into our most personal and critical domains. Sectors such as healthcare demand meticulous examination as they encompass distinctly human aspects along with highly mechanistic and scientific components. In this way, I see many parallels between the healthcare field and the use of AI [2].
So...is AI really needed for a bigger and better future? Well, as aforementioned, a major proponent of AI is efficiency. AI is technology with machine learning capabilities. It is able to run calculations and statistically analyze data. In terms of data analysis and research, I believe that AI is an enormous advantage and a great help in statistical analyses. Medical diagnoses are reached quicker and more accurately with AI: for example, the IBM Watson computer was able to reach medical diagnoses and guide physicians towards the best treatments. Because AI is technology at its core, it has the ability to search through the wealth of knowledge it has at its disposal through data and online connection. Through machine learning, AI can help us lead a faster and more convenient day-to-day life: for example, search engines such as Google and Siri are based in AI programming. Additionally, AI can be used to ease and streamline the healthcare field; for example, AI is able to assist in surgery successfully, as seen at the Children’s National Medical Center in Washington. In this case, AI was observed to successfully complete a soft-tissue surgery “...better than a human surgeon” [2]. This could be because AI is a machine, and for human surgeons, fatigue is a real issue. This is also true in research. The risk for error is greatly reduced when a consistent machine is used. Human hands can tremble, but AI is a machine with no such limitations [2].
However, with those advantages come many disadvantages. Although AI does have a wealth of knowledge at its disposal, that knowledge itself could be flawed. This means that gaps of research or knowledge on the Internet are reflected in AI, which essentially means that although AI is technology, it is not omniscient. Furthermore, AI replacing human labor is a real concern. In many workplaces, AI and machines are already leading to the automation of the workforce. Additionally, with the potential advent of AI into medical research and operating rooms, there are many bioethical issues that may arise. For instance, is AI able to achieve greater results in the operating room than a human surgeon? As we have seen, a robot was able to perform a soft-tissue surgery with greater results than a human surgeon. However, that was a set experiment with set goals. How would AI react in an emergency situation? Can a machine really replace a human surgeon’s split-second decisions? Can an AI effectively weigh all outcomes in order to lose critical seconds in an operating room any better than human surgeons can [2]?
Additionally, the ethics of healthcare provide many qualms against AI participating and having an active role in the medical field. For example, transparency is a huge issue when it comes to technology in the healthcare field. How does AI even work? Where is my data going? What rules and self-imposed characteristics is AI using in order to diagnose a patient? These are all questions that a patient could potentially ask. Are doctors aware of the intricacy of this artificial intelligence? If the doctor or surgeon is unable to explain the inner workings of an AI algorithm and arrive at the same conclusion, can a patient be expected to trust the AI the hospital is using? Additionally, a patient could be wary of a robot occupying the operating room with them. A patient is extremely vulnerable in an operating room, so the introduction of a non-human entity could evoke fear and mistrust. Therefore, in both technical and practical ways, there are many scenarios and possibilities to consider before allowing AI to integrate fully into the healthcare field [3].
1. ai. (n.d.). In Merriam-Webster Dictionary. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ai.
2. Tai M. C. (2020). The impact of artificial intelligence on human society and bioethics. Tzu chi medical journal, 32(4), 339–343. https://doi.org/10.4103/tcmj.tcmj_71_20.
3. Davenport, T., & Kalakota, R. (2019). The potential for artificial intelligence in healthcare. Future healthcare journal, 6(2), 94–98. https://doi.org/10.7861/futurehosp.6-2-94.