Protecting patient safety and privacy in the era of artificial intelligence

The promise of artificial intelligence (AI) in health care has propelled a significant uptrend in the number of clinical trials in AI and global market spending in this novel technology. In vascular surgery, this technology has the ability to diagnose disease, predict disease outcomes, and assist with image-guided surgery. As we enter an era of rapid change, it is critical to evaluate the ethical concerns of AI, particularly as it may impact patient safety and privacy. This is particularly important to discuss in the early stages of AI, as technology frequently outpaces the policies and ethical guidelines regulating it. Issues at the forefront include patient privacy and confidentiality, protection of patient autonomy and informed consent, accuracy and applicability of this technology, and propagation of health care disparities. Vascular surgeons should be equipped to work with AI, as well as discuss its novel risks to patient safety and privacy.