What happened:;An international group of doctors and public health experts has;issued a stark warning;about the potential negative effects of AI on human health.
Details:;Writing in the journal;BMJ Global Health, the experts warned that AI could worsen social and health inequalities in healthcare by incorporating human biases and discrimination or reinforcing disparities in people's access to healthcare. Other concerns centered on data privacy and security, errors in AI that can harm patients, and existential risks to humanity.
Why it matters:;The warning is the latest in a;growing chorus of concerns;around AI safety, with experts calling for the technology to be regulated to stave off potential dangers. Geoffrey Hinton, the "godfather of AI,";recently called for;greater oversight of AI, and research has revealed hospital algorithms that are;racially biased against Black patients.
What the numbers say:;Patients themselves are also wary of AI in healthcare. A;Pew Research Center survey;of 11,000 U.S. adults found that 60% said they would feel uncomfortable if their healthcare provider used AI for diagnosing and treatment. The poll also found that only 38% of respondents believe AI in healthcare would improve patient health outcomes.
