Who's to blame when AI makes a medical error? (26 March 2025)

Assistive artificial intelligence technologies hold significant promise for transforming health care by aiding physicians in diagnosing, managing, and treating patients. However, the current trend of assistive AI implementation could actually worsen challenges related to error prevention and physician burnout, according to a new brief published in JAMA Health Forum.

The brief, written by researchers from the Johns Hopkins Carey Business School, Johns Hopkins Medicine, and The University of Texas at Austin McCombs School of Business, explains that there is an increasing expectation of physicians to rely on AI to minimize medical errors. However, proper laws and regulations are not yet in place to support physicians as they make AI-guided decisions, despite the fierce adoption of these technologies among healthcare organisations.

The researchers predict that medical liability will depend on whom society considers at fault when the technology fails or makes a mistake, subjecting physicians to an unrealistic expectation of knowing when to override or trust AI. The authors warn that such an expectation could increase the risk of burnout and even errors among physicians.

"AI was meant to ease the burden, but instead, it’s shifting liability onto physicians - forcing them to flawlessly interpret technology even its creators can’t fully explain," said Shefali Patil, visiting associate professor at the Carey Business School and associate professor at the University of Texas McCombs School of Business. "This unrealistic expectation creates hesitation and poses a direct threat to patient care."

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Source: Digital Health News, 26 March 2025