Artificial intelligence and the Institutional Ethics Committee: A balanced insight into pros and cons, challenges, and future directions in ethical review of clinical research

The incorporation of artificial intelligence (AI) with Institutional Ethics Committee ethical review of clinical research poses significant prospects and problems. This study examines AI’s various effects in this domain. The benefits of AI include increased productivity, standardized assessments, cost-effective solutions, thorough analysis, and worldwide collaboration. These improvements could revolutionize review processes by speeding up and standardizing reviews. However, downsides include loss of human insight, data quality dependence, AI-specific ethical concerns, potential incompatibility with varied ethical frameworks, implementation costs, and over-reliance should be considered. A future roadmap for AI integration in this crucial field emphasizes human–AI collaboration, openness, ethical design, continuous learning, accessibility, and stakeholder engagement. The exploration culminates with a plea for interdisciplinary collaboration and mindful stewardship to balance technological innovation and ethical integrity. This comprehensive study guides academics, ethicists, policymakers, and practitioners through the complicated world of AI in clinical research ethics.