Examining inclusivity: the use of AI and diverse populations in health and social care: a systematic review

BACKGROUND: Artificial intelligence (AI)-based systems are being rapidly integrated into the fields of health and social care. Although such systems can substantially improve the provision of care, diverse and marginalized populations are often incorrectly or insufficiently represented within these systems. This review aims to assess the influence of AI on health and social care among these populations, particularly with regard to issues related to inclusivity and regulatory concerns. METHODS: We followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Six leading databases were searched, and 129 articles were selected for this review in line with predefined eligibility criteria. RESULTS: This research revealed disparities in AI outcomes, accessibility, and representation among diverse groups due to biased data sources and a lack of representation in training datasets, which can potentially exacerbate inequalities in care delivery for marginalized communities. CONCLUSION: AI development practices, legal frameworks, and policies must be reformulated to ensure that AI is applied in an equitable manner. A holistic approach must be used to address disparities, enforce effective regulations, safeguard privacy, promote inclusion and equity, and emphasize rigorous validation.