Socrates in the Machine: The "House Ethicist" in AI for Healthcare

Area of Science:

• Bioethics
• Artificial Intelligence
• Healthcare Ethics

Background:

• The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare presents novel ethical challenges.
• An on-site ethics expert, termed the "house ethicist," is proposed as a solution.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe and evaluate the various roles of the house ethicist.
• To assess the benefits of the house ethicist for AI research and society.
• To identify areas for professionalization of the house ethicist role.

Main Methods:

• Descriptive analysis of the house ethicist role.
• Evaluative framework for assessing the impact and challenges of the house ethicist.

Main Results:

• The house ethicist is a beneficial figure for both AI research and societal well-being.
• Significant challenges require further professionalization of the house ethicist.

Conclusions:

• The embedded ethics approach, facilitated by the house ethicist, holds promise.
• Individual and community efforts are crucial for the professionalization and success of the house ethicist.
• Further development is needed to ensure the effective implementation of house ethicists in AI healthcare.