More than 400 representatives from ministries, health professionals, experts, patient associations and international organisations gathered in Helsinki to discuss the application of artificial intelligence (AI) in the health sector and its implications for human rights. Organised by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health of Finland and the Council of Europe, the event aimed at exploring AI's impact on the therapeutic relationship between patients and doctors.
"AI is one of the biggest technological leaps in recent years, offering enormous opportunities for healthcare, too. AI is already used to a great extent in medical research and in the development of new treatments," said Finnish Minister of Social Security Sanni Grahn-Laasonen, at the opening of the meeting.
"In addition to abundant opportunities, the use of AI involves ethical issues, such as the protection of patients' privacy and equitable access to health services. Patients' right to self-determination and the protection of their privacy must be upheld in the midst of all technological advancements. They must not be compromised under any circumstances," she added.
The Head of the Council of Europe Health Department, Denis Huber, stated that "The governance of artificial intelligence must ensure that human cognition, empathy, and trust remain powerful forces in the provision of healthcare services. Ultimately, at all stages of the healthcare journey, AI-enabled care should never be a substitute for people who need human professional contact and guidance".
The participants also discussed the information and critical reflections that patients need when interacting with AI systems, the skills and competences that healthcare professionals need when using AI systems, and the place of informed consent when personal health data are collected to develop and train AI systems.
The conference was organised based on a report by the Steering Committee for Human Rights in the fields of Biomedicine and Health (CDBIO) on the impact of AI on the "patient-doctor" relationship.
The Council of Europe and Artificial intelligence
