Ethical Implications of Artificial Intelligence in Anesthesiology: A Scoping Review

Abstract

Abstract Background Nowadays Artificial Intelligence (AI) as one of the advanced and rapidly growing technologies has had widespread effects on various aspects of human life. In the healthcare sector, the adoption of AI methodologies has gained significant momentum, particularly in enhancing patient care, with anesthesiology emerging as a field keenly embracing these technological advancements. The use of AI in anesthesia is accompanied by specific ethical and social issues that require careful examination and deep understanding. The objective of this scoping review was to compile existing literature about the ethical considerations surrounding the utilization of artificial intelligence (AI) in anesthesiology. Method This scoping review was conducted within the first three months of 2024. The research question was "What are the ethical issues in the application of AI in anesthesia"? Based on the research question, researchers initially extracted relevant keywords using Medical Subject Heading (MeSH) and independently conducted preliminary searches in databases including Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, Cochrane, and Google Scholar. The study selection process was guided by predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria. The inclusion criteria were studies relevant to the research question. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for scoping reviews (PRISMA-ScR) was used to report the review process. Results The search strategy yielded a total of 327 articles. Consequently, the full text of 4 studies was examined. Of these, 2 studies were excluded due to lack of relevance to the research question. In total, 2 studies (both in English) were included in this review. Both of these studies were cross-sectional studies that examined the opinions of anesthesiologists regarding the ethical implications of using artificial intelligence in anesthesia. Conclusion The ethical integration of AI into anesthesia holds promise for improving patient care outcomes while upholding principles of safety, fairness, and accountability. Additional training programs and updated protocols are necessary for ensuring data security, collection, and processing. Additionally, Appropriate legal regulations concerning data processing should be developed.