The age of artificial intelligence has arrived with promises of change and progress in almost every aspect of our lives. In medicine, this technology promises to revolutionize the way we diagnose, treat and understand diseases. But with this technological advancement comes a big dilemma: Can artificial intelligence replace human art in medicine? Moreover, the uncertainty is so great that some go so far as to link human behaviors to these technological tools. For example, the ethics of artificial intelligence in medicine has become an increasing topic of discussion in the medical and technological fields. We forget that machines do not have morals, but rather “ethics”, that is, they are not governed by moral principles, but by mathematical principles. Those who should be governed by ethical principles are those humans who devote themselves to designing and developing these systems, and those who will use them.
As a reminder, The four basic principles of medical ethics are nonmaleficence, beneficence, justice, and autonomy. Doing no harm requires that doctors cause no harm to patients. Benevolence means the commitment of health professionals to always act in the best interests of the patient. Justice requires that all patients be treated equally. Finally, autonomy refers to respect for the patient’s ability to make informed decisions about his or her health care. Recently, the World Health Organization has expanded these ethical principles, adapting them to developers of AI tools, whether they are from the health field or not. One is human autonomy, which states that humans should maintain control over medical decisions. This is not a corporate reaction against new technologies. This principle is based on the fact that the cornerstone of medical work is medical work, which is a relationship between two people, one of whom places all his trust in the other, who must apply the acquired medical knowledge in a timely manner, that is, wisely, for the well-being and satisfaction of that trust.
Therefore, we must strongly emphasize that AI must be a complementary tool to human intelligence and empathy. The Hippocratic Method, in use for more than two thousand years, teaches us that diagnosing and treating diseases goes beyond simply observing symptoms; It requires a comprehensive understanding of the patient as an individual. This comprehensive approach, which combines knowledge, wisdom and a “medical sixth sense”, is something that artificial intelligence, no matter how advanced, cannot replace.
The concept of “augmented intelligence” better reflects the role that artificial intelligence should play in medicine
There is no doubt that artificial intelligence, with its ability to process and analyze large amounts of data with non-human speed and accuracy, offers unprecedented benefits. but, These developments should not lead us to a technological dependence that undermines the value of medical judgment and human interaction. Technology must be used to expand our capabilities, not to replace the clinical judgment and empathy that define medical practice.
The concept of “augmented intelligence” better reflects the role that AI should play in medicine: one that enhances human intelligence, not replaces it. The future of medicine does not lie in choosing between human intelligence and artificial intelligence, but in the harmonious integration of them. In this way, we can preserve and enhance the “art of medicine”, ensuring that technological advances improve the quality of care, without losing sight of the importance of human connection. By doing so, we can preserve the legacy of the Hippocratic method, preserving medicine as a science founded on a compassionate and detailed understanding of each patient. Artificial intelligence can be an invaluable ally in these efforts, but it will never be a substitute for human wisdom and warmth.
Carlos Maria Galmarini is the founder and CEO of Topazium.
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