FEATURE Robotics
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Viability of robots and AI in nursing
While robots and artificial intelligence have the potential to act as nurses, it raises several ethical concerns.
By a research team from Tokyo University of Science in Japan
R
obots and artifi cial intelligence (AI) are expected to play a key role in nursing in the future. Researchers from Japan are now asking whether intelligent machines can replace humans as nurses. They investigate the potential of current advancements in robotics and AI to replicate the ethical concepts attributed to nurses, including advocacy, accountability, cooperation and caring. While these technologies hold promise in enhancing healthcare practices, their integration into nursing requires careful consideration. The recent progress in the fi eld of
robotics and AI promises a future where these technologies would play a more prominent role in society. Current developments, such as the introduction of autonomous vehicles, the ability to generate original artwork and the creation of chatbots capable of engaging in human- like conversations, highlight the immense possibilities held by these technologies. Whilst these advancements off er numerous benefi ts, they also pose some fundamental questions. The characteristics such as creativity, communication, critical thinking and learning – once considered to be unique to humans – are now being replicated by AI. So, can intelligent machines be considered ‘human’? In a step toward answering this question, Associate Professor Tomohide Ibuki from Tokyo University of Science, in collaboration with medical ethics researcher Dr. Eisuke Nakazawa from The University of Tokyo and nursing researcher Dr. Ai Ibuki from Kyoritsu Women’s University, recently explored whether robots and AI can be entrusted with nursing. “We examine whether robotics, human
10 September 2023 | Automation
engineering and human intelligence technologies can and should replace humans in nursing tasks,” says Dr. Ibuki. Nurses demonstrate empathy and establish meaningful connections with their patients. This human touch is essential in fostering a sense of understanding, trust and emotional support. The researchers examined whether the current advancements in robotics and AI can implement these human qualities by replicating the ethical concepts attributed to human nurses, including advocacy, accountability, cooperation and caring.
Advocacy in nursing involves speaking on behalf of patients to ensure that they receive the best possible medical care. This encompasses safeguarding patients from medical errors, providing treatment information, acknowledging the preferences of a patient, and acting as mediators between the hospital and the patient. In this regard, the researchers noted that while AI can inform patients about medical errors and present treatment options, they questioned its ability to truly understand and empathise with patients’ values and to eff ectively navigate human relationships as mediators. The researchers also expressed concerns about holding robots accountable for their actions. They suggested the development of “explainable AI”, which would provide insights into the decision-making process of AI systems, improving accountability. The study further highlights that nurses
are required to collaborate eff ectively with their colleagues and other healthcare professionals to ensure the best possible care for patients. As humans rely on visual cues to build trust and establish relationships, unfamiliarity with robots might lead to sub-optimal interactions. Recognising these concerns, the researchers emphasised the importance of conducting further investigations to determine the appropriate appearance of robots for facilitating effi cient cooperation with human medical staff . Lastly, while robots and AI have the potential to understand a patient’s emotions and provide appropriate care, the patient must also be willing to accept robots as care providers. Having considered these key ethical concepts in nursing, the researchers acknowledge that whilst robots may not fully replace human nurses any time soon, they do not dismiss the possibility. Whilst robots and AI can potentially reduce the shortage of nurses and improve treatment outcomes for patients, their deployment requires careful weighing of the ethical implications and impact on nursing practice.
“While the present analysis does not
preclude the possibility of implementing the ethical concepts of nursing in robots and AI in the future, it points out that there are several ethical questions. Further research could not only help solve them but also lead to new discoveries in ethics,” states Dr. Ibuki.
automationmagazine.co.uk
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