Current policies regarding artificial intelligence (AI) technology are facing difficulty to keep pace with its rapid development in healthcare due to the complexities involved in regulating this dynamic field. Similar to any pioneering technology, the application of AI in healthcare presents new ethical and legal dilemmas that extend beyond traditional bioethics, legislation, and governance. The process of establishing definitive professional guidelines and standardized regulations for AI in healthcare has been slow. This article examines the ethical challenges that arise at the intersection of AI and healthcare research. Key ethical principles that are essential for the responsible use of AI in healthcare include justice, data stewardship, explainability of AI, accountability and sustainability. We will discuss the ethical considerations that may arise at each stage of the AI development lifecycle, from early problem identification to post-deployment evaluation.
Hey et al. (2025) studied this question.