Publication Type

Journal Article

Version

acceptedVersion

Publication Date

11-2024

Abstract

Paul Bloom has famously argued against the need for empathy in clinicians, while Sally Dalton-Brown has argued that AI need not be capable of empathy to be a good carer. In this paper, the capacity for AI to substitute for human clinicians is assessed from a bioethical perspective, primarily through the evaluation of the arguments put forth by Dalton-Brown and Bloom concerning empathy in healthcare. In opposition to both Bloom and Dalton-Brown, this paper argues that (1) empathy is essential to providing good care or deep care (that is, care that goes beyond the mere fulfilment of medical tasks), (2) deep care is a significant aspect of healthcare and yields important benefits, and (3) AI’s lack of capacity for empathy and mutual recognition prevents it from being able to provide deep care for patients, and for this reason, we ought to be extremely cautious about considering allowing AI to ultimately replace human healthcare providers.

Keywords

Technology, Ethics, AI, Substitutive technology, Heathcare

Discipline

Artificial Intelligence and Robotics | Public Health

Research Areas

Humanities

Areas of Excellence

Digital transformation

Publication

AI and Ethics

Volume

4

First Page

1507

Last Page

1518

ISSN

2730-5953

Identifier

10.1007/s43681-023-00347-9

Publisher

Springer

Copyright Owner and License

Authors

Additional URL

https://doi.org/10.1007/s43681-023-00347-9

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