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Review
. 2020 May;130(5):1234-1243.
doi: 10.1213/ANE.0000000000004728.

Science Without Conscience Is but the Ruin of the Soul: The Ethics of Big Data and Artificial Intelligence in Perioperative Medicine

Cecilia Canales  1 , Christine Lee  2 , Maxime Cannesson  1
Affiliations
Review

Science Without Conscience Is but the Ruin of the Soul: The Ethics of Big Data and Artificial Intelligence in Perioperative Medicine

Cecilia Canales et al. Anesth Analg. 2020 May.

Abstract

Artificial intelligence-driven anesthesiology and perioperative care may just be around the corner. However, its promises of improved safety and patient outcomes can only become a reality if we take the time to examine its technical, ethical, and moral implications. The aim of perioperative medicine is to diagnose, treat, and prevent disease. As we introduce new interventions or devices, we must take care to do so with a conscience, keeping patient care as the main objective, and understanding that humanism is a core component of our practice. In our article, we outline key principles of artificial intelligence for the perioperative physician and explore limitations and ethical challenges in the field.

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Conflict of interest statement

Name: Cecilia Canales, MD, MPH.

Conflicts of Interest: None.

Name: Christine Lee, PhD.

Conflicts of Interest: C. Lee is an employee of Edwards Lifesciences.

Name: Maxime Cannesson, MD, PhD.

Conflicts of Interest: M. Cannesson is a consultant for Edwards Lifesciences and Masimo Corp and has funded research from Edwards Lifesciences and Masimo Corp. He is also the founder of Sironis, and he owns patents and receives royalties for closed-loop hemodynamic management technologies that have been licensed to Edwards Lifesciences.

Figures

Figure.
Figure.
Ethical questions in AI-dependent health care system. Ethical questions to consider in an AI-dependent health care system, in 4 categories: data stewardship, bias, artificial intelligence implementation, and societal implications. AI indicates artificial intelligence.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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