Artificial intelligence in health and bioethical implications: a systematic review

Abstract

The presence of artificial intelligence in healthcare is growing, helping in diagnosis and decision making. However, its application raises doubts, mostly related to ethics. This study aimed to identify its uses in health and its bioethical implications from a systematic literature review using the PRISMA guidelines. The ScienceDirect and Scopus databases were searched, using the descriptors “artificial intelligence,” “bioethics” and “health.” Works in English, published between 2017 and 2021 were considered, resulting in 102 articles found and, after applying the established criteria, 11 were selected. The studies reported on the bioethical principles of beneficence, non-maleficence, autonomy and justice, adding an element, explainability. Relationships were found between artificial intelligence in health and unpredictability, predictability, trust, physicians’ role, systems development, privacy, data security, financial and social aspects. Developers, healthcare professionals and patients must maximize the benefits and limit the risks of tools that use this technology.