Ethical Challenges of AI

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into public health has ushered in a transformative era, characterized by enhanced predictive capabilities, personalized health interventions, and innovative solutions to complex health challenges. However, as AI technologies become pivotal, ethical considerations emerge as crucial determinants of their successful implementation. Currently, the field grapples with questions regarding data privacy, bias in AI models, and the balance between innovation and ethical integrity. While recent studies demonstrate AI's potential in disease modeling and healthcare accessibility, they underscore the urgency to address ethical challenges to avoid exacerbating health inequalities or compromising individual rights.

This Research Topic aims to delve into the ethical challenges and considerations associated with the deployment of AI technologies in public health. It seeks to explore the ethical dilemmas posed by AI in public health, addressing questions such as: How can we ensure the fairness and transparency of AI algorithms? What frameworks are needed to safeguard patient data without hindering technological advancements? By examining these issues, the Research Topic will provide insights into the development of guidelines that balance the potential for innovation with ethical responsibility.

To gather further insights into this increasingly critical intersection of AI and public health, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:

• Ethical frameworks for the implementation of AI in public health
• Addressing and mitigating AI bias in public health applications
• Balancing data privacy with public health imperatives
• The role of AI in informed consent and health decision-making
• Case studies on ethical challenges in AI deployment in healthcare setting.

By investigating these themes, we aim to contribute to a deeper understanding of how the ethical challenges of AI can be navigated to promote equitable and effective public health outcomes. We encourage submissions that illuminate the nuances of these challenges and propose actionable solutions that align with both technological advancement and public well-being.

This Research Topic was launched in collaboration with the 10th Digital Public Health Conference, a world-leading annual interdisciplinary event on research and innovation in digital public health, organized by University College London. We welcome submissions from speakers, attendees and the broader research community.