RoboEthics in COVID-19: A Case Study in Dentistry

Area of Science:

• Roboethics
• Healthcare Education Technology
• Artificial Intelligence in Medicine

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated remote operations across sectors, including education and healthcare.
• Robotics and AI emerged as crucial tools to mitigate disruptions caused by widespread closures and social distancing measures.
• Simulation robots showed potential for remote healthcare education, highlighting the need for ethical considerations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To discuss the principles of roboethics and their application in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.
• To identify key ethical principles relevant to the design and development of educational robotic systems.
• To evaluate a specific case study, DenTeach, using established roboethical principles.

Main Methods:

• Review and discussion of core roboethics principles.
• Application of these principles to a case study in dentistry education (DenTeach).
• Evaluation of DenTeach based on data, common good, and safety principles.

Main Results:

• Roboethics principles are crucial for guiding the development of remote learning technologies.
• DenTeach, a portable simulation device, enables efficient remote dental education.
• Evaluation of DenTeach highlights the importance of data, common good, and safety in educational robotics.

Conclusions:

• Roboethics provides a framework for responsible innovation in healthcare education technology.
• The principles discussed can guide researchers and institutions implementing robots in curricula.
• Ethical considerations are paramount for the successful integration of AI and robotics in education during and after the pandemic.