An Ethical Analysis of the AI Values / Principles in “Turkey’s AI Strategy Plan” for Improving Patients’ Access to Health Care

Abstract

The Turkish National Artificial Intelligence Strategy (TNAIS) has been prepared in line with the 11th Development Plan and the Presidential Annual Programs of the Republic of Turkey. The purpose of this strategy report is to describe the methods of determining national strategic AI priorities and set these priorities. In this report, according to the patent applications between 1980 and 2016, it is stated that the fields in which AI technologies are applied the most are: communication (24%), transportation (24%), and health sciences (19%). Therefore, it is seen that almost 1/5 of all AI technologies are applied in the field of health science. It can be concluded that AI technologies used in the field of health have a special place in the scope of the TNAIS report. The report covers four ethical values including: respect for human rights, democracy and the rule of law, improving the environment and biological ecosystem, ensuring diversity and inclusion, and living in peaceful, just and cohesive societies; and eight ethical principles including (1) proportionality, (2) safety and security, (3) fairness, (4) privacy, (5) transparency and explainability, (6) responsibility and accountability, (7) data sovereignty, and (8) multi-stakeholder governance. Consequently, in this study, the TNAIS report will be analyzed based on the ethical values and principles it contains within the scope of patients' access to healthcare. Then the current or prospective ethical issues emerging from the existence of AI technology used in healthcare will be addressed. Finally, the suggestions about the perspectives for approaching ethical issues when these values and principles are in conflict will be shared.