Recommended prerequisite for participation in the module

The module builds on knowledge, skills and competences obtained in the course module: Innovation and Technological Change in a Healthcare Context or knowledge, skills and competences equivalent to this.

Content, progress and pedagogy of the module

When it comes to AI, the healthcare sector has its own set of unique ethical considerations concerning patient care, the sensitive nature of health data, and the critical impact on individuals and public health. From mobile health and fitness apps to wearables, from virtual reality to personalized medicine and digital (AI) therapists, various digital health applications utilizing AI are disrupting traditional models of healthcare delivery and changing the healthcare landscape. These digital health applications raise important ethical issues that impact their use, adoption, and deployment.  As the integration of AI into medical technology and healthcare systems technology develops, the need for safety, soundness and fairness is required at all levels so that the regulatory systems (on which physicians and patients rely) ensure that healthcare AI is responsible, evidence-based, bias-free, and designed and deployed to promote equity. It is critical that AI in healthcare benefits all sectors of the population, as AI could worsen existing inequalities if not carefully designed and implemented. 

Learning objectives

Knowledge

• Knowledge of AI ethics in healthcare and how it differs from other fields. 

• Knowledge of a range of existing and emerging AI-powered digital health tools in use and the relevant ethical considerations. 

• Understanding of ethical considerations of AI and digital health tools and applications, such as data privacy (ownership of health records, patient history, and consent) and fairness across the individual, organizational, and societal levels.  

 

Skills

• Identify ethical concerns at both the design and deployment levels.  

• Assess the trade-offs, risks, and benefits of AI in digital health applications. 

• Identify potential areas for ethical concern and risks, including safety and transparency, algorithmic fairness and bias, data privacy. 

• Evaluate/assess privacy measures including informed consent and data privacy at the deployment level. 

• Communicate the benefits and risks of AI in digital health applications. 

Competences

• Apply ethical frameworks to AI-backed digital health tools to mitigate risks and ensure health equity and fairness at the deployment level. 

• Synthesize and develop ethically informed strategies for deploying digital health tools with regard for their impact at the individual, organizational, and societal levels.  

 

Type of instruction

This course focuses on providing the students with an understanding of ethical issues involved in using AI in healthcare and supporting them in handling such issues by working with their own case. The teaching format is blended learning based on self-study of both written material and video clips (or invited guest lectures, when possible).  discussion in study groups and in plenum in physical and online seminars. It is organized as a mix of lectures and presentations followed by individual project work based on case-studies.  

Exam

Exams

Name of exam	Ethics, Health and Artificial Intelligence
Type of exam	Written or oral exam
ECTS	5
Permitted aids	See semester description
Assessment	Passed/Not Passed
Type of grading	Internal examination
Criteria of assessment	The criteria of assessment are stated in the Examination Policies and Procedures