Responsibility Gap(s) Due to the Introduction of AI in Healthcare: An Ubuntu-Inspired Approach

Area of Science:

• Healthcare ethics
• Artificial intelligence
• Philosophy of technology

Background:

• Artificial intelligence (AI) holds transformative potential for healthcare.
• The integration of AI raises significant ethical concerns, notably the responsibility gap (RG).
• The RG questions accountability when AI systems cause patient harm.

Purpose of the Study:

• To broaden the discourse on the responsibility gap in AI healthcare.
• To introduce an Ubuntu-inspired philosophical perspective on AI ethics.
• To propose collective responsibility as a framework for addressing the RG.

Main Methods:

• Philosophical analysis of the responsibility gap concept.
• Exploration of Ubuntu philosophy and its principles of interconnectedness and collective responsibility.
• Application of Ubuntu principles to ethical dilemmas posed by AI in healthcare.

Main Results:

• The Ubuntu philosophy offers a unique, forward-looking approach to the RG.
• It promotes a model of shared accountability rather than individual blame.
• This perspective can guide the ethical development and deployment of AI in healthcare.

Conclusions:

• An Ubuntu-inspired framework can effectively address the responsibility gap in AI healthcare.
• Embracing collective responsibility fosters more ethical and responsible AI integration.
• This approach contributes to a more humane and equitable application of AI in medical settings.