Confronting the Ethical Issues with Artificial Intelligence Use in Nephrology

Overview

Artificial intelligence (AI) promises significant advancements in nephrology. While current use of AI in clinical nephrology practice is limited, there is scope for application in transplant allocation, remote dialysis monitoring, and CKD management.

Yet, despite its potential, the use of AI in nephrology raises important ethical issues. Challenges include concerns about trustworthiness and reliability of AI systems, accountability for inaccurate results, injustice from the perpetuation or exacerbation of individual and systemic biases and inequities, and risks to patient privacy arising from the need for AI to access to sensitive health data.

In addition, there are unresolved questions about the application of current disclosure and informed consent practices for patients when AI is used in their care and about the environmental and sustainability effect of this energy-hungry technology in an already resource intensive specialty.

This article explores these ethical challenges and gives recommendations for addressing them, both at an individual clinician and health care system level.