But in addition to the many possibilities that artificial intelligence brings, there is also the question: do we want to be seen by a computer? What are the ethical and legal aspects? Is all that allowed? UMCG researcher Mirjam Plantinga is investigating this. “We have conversations with professionals, patients and citizens. The guiding question is: what do you need to have confidence in these types of applications?”
It is important to see what there is a need for, according to Plantinga. “What are social problems that you want to solve? And which values play a role? Can AI be a solution for that? If you know that, you can take that into account when designing those types of AI solutions.”
The fact that there is not always trust is also due to the image that people have of AI. “There are some very nice ones science fiction films in which a lot of AI is applied. With robots and the like. Beautiful films with beautiful views. But they also evoke a certain fear, because an image is presented that AI is a technology that can wipe out humanity and take over the world. And that is an image that does not match the technology as it exists. AI is actually nothing more than information that a human puts into it. It is not a computer or robot with a consciousness that can make decisions for itself.”
And so Plantinga also wants to reassure people. Healthcare will not be dominated by artificial intelligence, she says. Healthcare personnel and human actions, and the important control function will always remain. “The doctor remains responsible for the treatment of the patient, but will be able to use AI. It is an instrument in the hands of the doctor.”
RTV Drenthe reporter Stijn Steenhuis took to the streets to ask whether people would like to be seen by AI in the hospital.