German Medical Association president Dr Klaus Reinhardt sees a growing use of artificial intelligence in medicine, but has also called for ethical guidelines for it.
“Artificial intelligence has the potential to revolutionize patient treatment,” Reinhardt told dpa.
This also applies to increasing efficiency in the healthcare system and advancing medical research, he said. But he warned that ethical aspects must not be lost from view – including that the protection of privacy and patient data is always guaranteed.
“AI systems are already helping to analyse X-ray images or MRI and CT scans,” Reinhardt said before a discussion on the topic by the German Medical Association in Berlin on Thursday.
Surgeons are also increasingly supported by AI-controlled systems that enable more precise and gentle interventions. In future, such systems could become more important in many other areas of care, he said.
They could enable even more precise therapies based on health data or monitor patients medically at home and analyse health data in real time.
Artificial intelligence could also support practices in routine tasks such as documentation, billing and scheduling, Reinhardt explained.
“This leaves doctors more time for direct patient contact.”
The analysis of large and complex amounts of data could also accelerate research and help identify potential drug candidates.
At the same time, the president of the medical association emphasised: “The use of AI technologies requires careful consideration, especially with data protection, safety and accountability.”
He warned that the decision-making algorithms on which automated systems are based must be transparent and ethically evaluated.
“The application of modern AI systems must not replace human, individual, personal care. We must formulate clear guidelines for the responsible use of these technologies,” Reinhardt warned.
