Question
What are the limitations and ethical considerations of using Generative AI in healthcare?
Answer
Generative AI, despite its transformative potential in healthcare, is not without limitations and ethical concerns. One significant challenge is the occurrence of “hallucinations,” where AI generates convincing yet inaccurate content. This necessitates rigorous fact-checking by healthcare professionals to prevent misinformation. Moreover, AI’s inability to understand abstract concepts, reason about ethics, or perform original research underlines the indispensable role of human oversight in interpreting and applying AI-generated insights. Ethical considerations also extend to privacy, data transparency, and potential biases within AI algorithms, which may reflect or exacerbate existing societal inequalities. Recognizing these limitations emphasizes the importance of a cautious and informed approach to integrating AI into healthcare practices.
This Ask the Expert is an edited excerpt from the course, Introduction to GenAI and Chatbots for Healthcare Professionals, presented by Leigha Jansen EdD, CPACC, and Carolyn Smaka AuD.