Artificial Intelligence and Medical Translation: An Editorial on the Ethical Considerations for Emerging Technologies...

The growing demand for medical translation services in the U.S. highlights the potential of artificial intelligence (AI), large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT (OpenAI, San Francisco, CA), to bridge language gaps. However, their use in dermatology raises ethical concerns, including information accuracy, patient privacy, dialectical variations, legal accountability, and algorithm bias for a variety of skin colors. AI models may default to informal language, leading to misunderstandings, and their limited ability to handle less common dialects poses communication challenges. The risk of "hallucination," where incorrect information is generated, and inadequate data oversight further complicate their use. In dermatology, precise translation is crucial due to the field's visual nature and the sensitivity of cosmetic concerns. Linguistic diversity can lead to misinterpretations, affecting patient care. Dermatologists must consider these ethical implications to ensure AI tools address the nuances of dermatological terminology and regional language differences, ultimately improving patient outcomes.