Guideline 1: Preserving Integrity and Ethical Standards

Scenario

In the area of health research, the use of AI systems raises a special set of ethical issues. It is the responsibility of researchers to make sure that these systems not only follow strict ethical guidelines but also advance the field in a way that is constructive and free from bias or unintentional harm.

Recommendation

Researchers need to provide complete that the ethics and quality standards of AI systems they develop comply with global norms. Embracing the worth and contributions of every person while vehemently opposing discrimination are components of this. Researchers need to exercise caution when using AI to avoid creating new forms of discrimination or maintaining existing biases. This dedication to morality should permeate every phase of the creation and application of AI systems, from the collection of data to the application of AI-driven insights in medicine.

Resources

Developing discussions on ethical issues in health research is part of CIHR's mandate to support and encourage research that complies with the highest international standards of scientific ethics and excellence.

The CIHR Ethics Office provides oversight for a variety of activities pertaining to health research ethics and provides guidance and analysis on ethical issues that are crucial for AI research in the medical field.

The CIHR and other federal research funding organizations established the Secretariat on Responsible Conduct of Research, which plays a pivotal role in advancing the ethical standards for human subjects research and responsible research practices. Additionally, it provides the necessary frameworks for ethical AI applications in healthcare.

Guideline 2: Thorough Ethical Assessment and Counselling

Scenario

Many complex ethical issues, such as data privacy, algorithmic bias, and the effect on patient-clinician relationships, are brought up by the use of AI in health research. To successfully navigate these challenges, one must deeply comprehend technology and ethics.

Recommendation

It is recommended that researchers proactively seek out specialized ethics committees and offices in order to receive comprehensive review and support for their AI research projects. By assisting in the resolution of any ethical conundrums and directing responsible AI development, this involvement ensures adherence to ethical standards and principles. Regular cooperation with ethics committees ensures that AI research adheres to evolving social norms and ethical standards.

Resources

Creating policy-driven ethics initiatives in health research is greatly aided by the CIHR Ethics Office. They offer vital ethics-related information, analysis, direction, and advice across CIHR, which is essential for AI research in the medical field.

The Secretariat on Responsible Conduct of Research is dedicated to promoting ethical practices in human subjects research and responsible research conduct. The creation of frameworks for moral AI applications in healthcare depends on this organization.

By using the resources made available by CIHR and its affiliated ethics committees, along with this guidance, researchers can make sure that their AI applications in healthcare are not only innovative but also morally and ethically sound and adhere to the strictest guidelines.

Guideline 3: Cooperation and Adherence to Ethical Frameworks

Scenario

Safeguarding patient rights, privacy, and safety in healthcare research necessitates strict adherence to established ethical frameworks. This calls for a thorough understanding of the ethical implications of AI applications in healthcare settings.

Recommendation

Researchers should collaborate with significant organizations like the Secretariat for Responsible Conduct of Research to ensure that their AI health research complies with ethical guidelines for human subjects research and responsible research conduct frameworks. Maintaining the highest ethical standards in research and ensuring that AI systems are developed and used in a way that respects people's rights and dignity depend on this kind of collaboration.

Resources

The application of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare is closely linked to the Canadian Institutes of Health Research's (CIHR) emphasis on the importance of treating people with respect and maintaining accountability and integrity in health research.

The CIHR-funded Secretariat on Responsible Conduct of Research is responsible for ensuring responsible research conduct and promoting ethics in human research. It provides the frameworks and encouragement needed for the ethical application of AI in healthcare.

By adhering to these rules and cooperating with these organizations, researchers can ensure that their AI applications in healthcare are not only state-of-the-art but also uphold the highest ethical standards.

Guideline 4: Research that is Culturally Safe, Transparent, and Inclusive

Scenario

When creating AI for healthcare research, it is important to consider the diversity of patient populations. It is critical to design AI systems that are inclusive and satisfy the unique needs of diverse cultural, socioeconomic, and demographic groups.

Recommendation

Creating transparent AI systems with responsible and understandable algorithms ought to be a primary focus for researchers. AI researchers must focus on cultural safety in order to develop tools that are responsive to diverse cultural contexts and capable of achieving equitable health outcomes. Inclusion should be the foundation for all aspects of research and application, from data collection to the creation and use of algorithms.

Resources

The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) encourages inclusive, transparent, collaborative, and impactful health research in order to achieve equitable health outcomes. These regulations are necessary to guarantee that medical AI research is safe and inclusive of all cultural backgrounds.

The CIHR Ethics Office's role in providing guidance on health research ethics is in line with the need for inclusive and culturally safe AI applications in healthcare, ensuring that all ethical considerations are taken into account.

By adhering to these recommendations, researchers can ensure that the use of AI in healthcare advances medical science in a fair, inclusive, and culturally sensitive manner.

1) IBM Cloud Education (March 2021): AI Ethics | IBM: https://www.ibm.com/cloud/learn/ai-ethics

(2) IBM Research Insights (April 2020), "Advancing AI ethics beyond compliance: From principles to practice": https://www.ibm.com/downloads/cas/J2LAYLOZ

(3) Joint Centre for Bioethics, University of Toronto (July 2018), "Ethics and AI for good health, symposium report": https://jcb.utoronto.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Ethics-and-AI-for-Good-Health_Symposium-Report.pdf

(4) Canadian Institutes of Health Research, "Ethics at CIHR": https://cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/29331.html

I wrote this paper, using IEEE format can you intext site where needed and reference the four links provided