Can nurses in clinical practice ascribe responsibility to intelligent robots?

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Robotics
• Artificial Intelligence
• Bioethics

Background:

• The 21st century has seen a significant increase in intelligent robots and artificial intelligence (AI) in nursing.
• This article addresses the critical question of whether nurses can ascribe responsibility to AI and robots for errors in clinical practice.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore two distinct worldviews—anthropocentrism and biocentrism—to answer the question of responsibility attribution for AI and robot errors in nursing.
• To analyze the ethical and moral implications of advanced technologies in healthcare settings.

Main Methods:

• The study was motivated by advancements in healthcare technology and the evolving role of nurses.
• It situates the use of AI and intelligent robots within nursing and healthcare, examining ethical considerations.
• Two philosophical frameworks, anthropocentrism and biocentrism, were applied to address the core question.

Main Results:

• Anthropocentrism posits that responsibility rests solely with humans due to their central moral standing.
• Biocentrism suggests that all entities possess moral consideration, leading to shared responsibility.
• Consensus development within these frameworks offers a path to resolve issues of responsibility allocation.

Conclusions:

• Findings support establishing robust peer review and simulation protocols before adopting AI and robots in clinical settings.
• Recommends specialized training for nurse practitioners to address ethical dilemmas posed by advanced technologies.
• Advocates for harmonizing robotics research, manufacturing, and clinical practice for responsible implementation.