Liability protection from healthcare malpractices caused by artificial intelligence (AI) is reportedly doctors' latest bid to Congress, as per the American Medical Association. 

During a recent conference, Jesse Ehrenfeld, President of the AMA, stated that lawsuits are already being filed. Although AI innovations hold the potential to enhance healthcare, the organization asserts that AI healthcare can only come to pass if physicians have faith in the systems and are shielded from legal risk.

(Photo: NELSON ALMEIDA/AFP via Getty Images) Vice-director Marcio Sawamura works at the Radiology Institute of the Clinics Hospital of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Sao Paulo (InRad) in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on July 29, 2020.

Over 12 luminaries in health, law, and technology said there is more at stake than just millions in medical malpractice payouts. Judges, politicians, and regulators are shaping what a medical system that uses artificial intelligence to treat patients owes them in terms of quality care and the right to compensation if something goes wrong.

According to health tech companies and certain hospitals, physicians who make the ultimate decisions on patient care are ultimately accountable for their actions.

In a sense, the AMA has reaffirmed the point. Because the group believes that doctors should never rely only on AI, referring to it as "augmented intelligence."

Read Also: AI in Healthcare May Lead to More Unintended Unequal Access, Study Warns

AI Healthcare Boom

Unrestricted artificial intelligence instruments, such as note-taking virtual assistants and predictive software that aids in illness diagnosis and treatment, are reportedly already being used by doctors.

According to data from a study conducted by Capital Economics, a reasonable percent of healthcare companies, 6.1%, are contemplating incorporating AI into their operations within the next six months.

This indicates that the industry is gradually adopting AI. 

The once-heated argument over medical malpractice is being revived by the development of AI capabilities in healthcare.

However, it's uncertain if the previous fronts-Democrats and plaintiffs' attorneys pushing back and doctors and Republicans pushing for liability limits-will hold.

Since the "med-mal" controversy died down, doctors' political views have shifted to the left, and the software companies that are developing the tools have encountered opposition from both political parties.

That implies that there might be a chance to grant the doctors their wish. Although there isn't any legislation to accomplish that, politicians are starting to investigate it.

The government has reportedly been hesitant to regulate rapidly evolving technologies because of the immense financial and staffing constraints that agencies such as the Food and Drug Administration face in developing and implementing regulations. 

AI Healthcare Regulations

Last month, legislators and regulators in Washington have already explored the intricacies of governing AI in the healthcare industry, realizing that the task at hand is difficult and fraught with difficulties.

AI software is dynamic, unlike medications or medical equipment. To regulate the tech, the FDA wants to continuously monitor artificial intelligence goods instead of only approving them once, something it has never done proactively.

Related Article: NVIDIA Steps Into Healthcare AI with New AI-Powered Health Agents 

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