Deliverable: Written Project Proposal or Plan

Full Answer Section

• Plan to Integrate Philosophical Concepts: The documentary will explore the ethical issue through the lens of:
  • Deontology: Examining the duty of care and the potential for AI to undermine the human clinician-patient relationship.
  • Utilitarianism: Assessing the potential benefits of AI diagnostics in terms of efficiency and accuracy, weighed against the potential harms of bias and loss of human oversight.
  • Virtue Ethics: Investigating the role of character and professional judgment in the age of AI, and whether AI can embody or replace these virtues.
  • Ethics of Care: Focusing on the potential for AI to either enhance or diminish the relational aspects of healthcare, particularly for vulnerable populations.

2. Significance of the Issue:

The increasing integration of AI into healthcare diagnostics presents a significant ethical challenge.

• Algorithmic Bias: AI algorithms are trained on data sets that may reflect existing societal biases, potentially leading to discriminatory outcomes for certain patient groups (e.g., racial minorities, women). This can exacerbate existing health disparities.
• Patient Autonomy: The "black box" nature of some AI algorithms can make it difficult for patients and clinicians to understand how diagnostic decisions are made, potentially undermining informed consent and patient autonomy.
• Role of Clinicians: The reliance on AI diagnostics may alter the role of human clinicians, potentially leading to a decline in clinical judgment and empathy.
• Trust and Accountability: The lack of clear accountability in AI-driven diagnostics can erode patient trust in the healthcare system.
• Rapid Development: AI in healthcare is developing very quickly, and ethical frameworks must adapt to this change.

3. Creative and Analytical Approach:

• Creative Approach:
  • The documentary will employ visually compelling imagery and animations to illustrate complex AI concepts and ethical dilemmas.
  • Interviews will be conducted in a conversational style to elicit authentic perspectives from participants.
  • Narrative storytelling will be used to personalize the ethical issues and engage the audience emotionally.
• Analytical Approach:
  • The documentary will present a balanced perspective, featuring interviews with experts from diverse backgrounds (e.g., clinicians, AI developers, ethicists).
  • Philosophical concepts will be integrated through expert commentary and visual representations.
  • The documentary will encourage critical thinking by presenting contrasting viewpoints and posing thought-provoking questions.

4. Potential Sources and Visual/Narrative Strategies:

• Potential Sources:
  • Course textbook: [Textbook Title]
  • Course learning materials (lectures, readings)
  • Scholarly articles on AI ethics in healthcare (e.g., Journal of Medical Ethics, Nature Medicine)
  • Reports from organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the National Academy of Medicine.
  • Interviews with healthcare professionals, AI developers, and patients.
  • Websites of organizations working on AI ethics.
• Visual/Narrative Strategies:
  • Animations and infographics to illustrate AI algorithms and data flow.
  • Visual representations of potential algorithmic bias (e.g., heat maps showing disparities in diagnostic accuracy).
  • Real-life case studies of patients affected by AI-driven diagnostics.
  • Montages of contrasting viewpoints from experts.
  • Narrative voice-over to provide context and guide the audience through the ethical analysis.

Sample Answer

Proposal: Exploring Ethical Dimensions of AI-Driven Patient Diagnostics

1. Proposal Outline:

• Selected Ethical Issue: The ethical implications of increasingly relying on artificial intelligence (AI) for patient diagnostics in healthcare. Specifically, the focus will be on the potential for algorithmic bias, the impact on patient autonomy, and the evolving role of human clinicians in the diagnostic process.
• Selected Format: A short documentary film (10-15 minutes) combining interviews with healthcare professionals, AI developers, and patients, interspersed with visual representations of AI processes and potential ethical dilemmas.