Trust, Transparency, and Acceptability of Artificial Intelligence-Powered Communication Tools in Cancer: Focus Groups...

Artificial intelligence (AI)-powered communication tools are being implemented in cancer care. It is imperative to understand the perspectives of adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with cancer and parents on the use of AI in cancer communication.

We conducted remote focus groups with AYAs with cancer and parents of children with cancer, focused on perspectives on AI-powered tools in oncology communication. We performed thematic analysis of transcriptions.

We conducted seven focus groups with parents (n = 19) and AYAs (n = 16). Participants described perspectives on (i) benefits and concerns with AI communication tools, (ii) factors influencing trust in AI tools, and (iii) transparency of AI use. Benefits and problems related to accuracy and quality, privacy, and effects on clinical communication, clinical relationships, and quality of care. Participants' trust in AI communication tools related to user experience and expectations, how tools were developed, and the management of data generated by the tool. Each of these factors relied on human involvement and the trustworthiness and credibility of those people. Participants also discussed three aspects of transparency: disclosure of AI use, ability to opt out, and ambivalence and resignation. Parents expressed more openness to AI tools in communication and more ambivalence about transparency and risks than did adolescents.

AYAs with cancer and parents are cautiously open to the evolving role of AI in cancer communication. Their trust relies, in part, upon the roles and intentions of people involved in developing and implementing these tools.