Artificial intelligence in healthcare: Proposals for policy development in South Africa.

Naidoo, S.; Bottomley, D.; Naidoo, M.; Donnelly, D.; Thaldar, D. W.

Despite the tremendous promise offered by artificial intelligence (AI) for healthcare in South Africa, existing policy frameworks are inadequate for encouraging innovation in this field. Practical, concrete and solution-driven policy recommendations are needed to encourage the creation and use of AI systems. This article considers five distinct problematic issues which call for policy development: (i) outdated legislation; (ii) data and algorithmic bias; (iii) the impact on the healthcare workforce; (iv) the imposition of liability dilemma; and (v) a lack of innovation and development of AI systems for healthcare in South Africa. The adoption of a national policy framework that addresses these issues directly is imperative to ensure the uptake of AI development and deployment for healthcare in a safe, responsible and regulated manner.

SOUTH Africa; ARTIFICIAL intelligence; MEDICAL care; GOVERNMENT policy; SYSTEMS development

South African Journal of Bioethics & Law, 2022, Vol 15, Issue 1, p11

1999-7639

Academic Journal

10.7196/SAJBL.2022.v15i1.797