The ethics of AI
Last month, we looked at the various ways artificial intelligence could transform and revolutionize the retail healthcare industry. We talked to industry watchers, consultants and analysts to predict and explore all the potential ways the technology could be used to free up time for pharmacists and create efficiencies for staff.
We learned how retailers are implementing AI-powered solutions in everything from chatbots that help provide customer service to data analytics tools that assist in category management. But we also learned something alarming: the technology comes with a growing list of ethical questions that need some consideration. In this issue, we get into them.
Our cover story looks at the ethical concerns that retailers and suppliers must contend with, including patient data privacy, cybersecurity, misinformation and bias, liability and job displacement due to AI.
New tools can accommodate patient communication preferences by method, while other tools could help the pharmacy manage inventory or assure proper documentation and coding for medical billing or value-based contracts.
“Tech offers the promise of efficiencies that can only help the bottom line, but AI systems that handle sensitive health data require heightened vigilance,” our reporter writes. “Ensuring patient consent and maintaining HIPAA compliance are paramount. Missteps can not only breach trust but could also result in legal consequences.”
“Applications in clinical areas are emerging more slowly while pharmacists evaluate how professional liability and health data privacy are affected,” Lisa Schwartz, PharmD, senior director of professional affairs at the National Community Pharmacists Association, told us.
The list of pitfalls goes on, and they all bring their own set of issues. The bottom line is that everyone should be aware of the promise of AI but also be aware of the potential problems if the technology is misused.
As our reporter writes, the success of your business depends on it.
