Schulich Study Unveils Ethical AI Framework to Revolutionize Healthcare and Support Workforce Well-Being
A groundbreaking study from the Schulich School of Business has introduced a comprehensive framework for the responsible adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare organizations. This framework emphasizes ethical governance, human-centred design, and strategic leadership to ensure that AI technologies support and enhance the healthcare workforce while prioritizing patient-centred care.
The research, titled “Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare: Balancing Technological Innovation with Health and Care Workforce Priorities,” has been published in The International Journal of Health Planning and Management. It is co-authored by Abi Sriharan, Scientific Director and Senior Scientist in AI and Healthcare Organizations at Schulich’s Krembil Centre for Health Management and Leadership.
The study addresses several critical challenges associated with AI adoption in healthcare, including the risks posed by biased data, the necessity for transparent AI systems, and the importance of human oversight in decision-making processes. The co-authors stress that AI must be developed with a human-centred approach, ensuring that technology enhances rather than replaces the expertise and empathy of healthcare professionals.
“The integration of AI into healthcare must prioritize human expertise and empathy,” said Dr. Sriharan. “By involving healthcare workers in the design process and ensuring transparent AI systems, we can create technologies that complement the human elements of care, rather than disrupt them.”
One of the key contributions of this research is the introduction of a practical checklist for healthcare organizations to evaluate the ethical deployment of AI technologies. This framework encourages a balanced approach, ensuring that AI innovations are integrated in ways that align with the core values of the healthcare system while safeguarding workforce well-being.