Ethical Considerations in the Use of Artificial Intelligence in Pain Medicine
Cascella M, Shariff MN, Viswanath O, Leoni MLG, Varrassi G. Ethical Considerations in the Use of Artificial Intelligence in Pain Medicine. Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2025 Jan 6;29(1):10. doi: 10.1007/s11916-024-01330-7. PMID: 39760779.
Abstract
Although the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into medicine and healthcare holds transformative potential, significant challenges must be necessarily addressed. This technological innovation requires a commitment to ethical principles. Key issues concern autonomy, reliability, and bias. Furthermore, AI development must guarantee rigorous data privacy and security standards. Effective AI implementation demands thorough validation, transparency, and the involvement of multidisciplinary teams to oversee ethical considerations. These issues also concern pain medicine where careful assessment of subjective experiences and individualized care are crucial. Notably, in this rapidly evolving technological landscape, politics plays a pivotal role in establishing rules and regulations. Regulatory frameworks, such as the European Union's Artificial Intelligence Act and recent U.S. executive orders, provide essential guidelines for the responsible use of AI. This step is crucial for balancing innovation with rigorous ethical standards, ultimately leveraging the incredible AI's benefits. As the field evolves rapidly and concepts like algorethics and data ethics become more widespread, the scientific community is increasingly recognizing the need for specialists in this area, such as AI Ethics Specialists.
