Artificial Intelligence
Artificial intelligence (AI) refers to computer-driven technologies that simulate human intelligence. AI encompasses technologies that attempt to mimic cognitive functions such as learning, reasoning, problem-solving and decision-making using algorithms, machine learning, natural language processing, robotics and computer vision.
In the healthcare setting, AI is being pushed by healthcare systems as a means to make service provision more streamlined and efficient. Some healthcare systems are already using ambient listening and algorithms to analyze large datasets quickly, identifying patterns to make predictions and clinical recommendations. Hospitals are also using AI to capture more billable services.
As with any emerging technology, patients should be hesitant to rely entirely on AI-based care. The hands-on work of caring for patients cannot be automated and should not be done by a computer; no computer can ever replace the human expertise and clinical judgement of frontline nurses.
All patients and healthcare workers have the right to safety, privacy, and transparency; the unchecked implementation of artificial intelligence in healthcare settings compromises those rights. All patients and workers have the right to private and secure data, and collecting their data, at the very least, should require informed consent and an opt-in process.
As workers, nurses have the right to be consulted and engaged about all issues concerning the implementation of AI in their workplace. Union nurses must be included in all aspects of the implementation process, from conceptualization to testing to execution. Without the genuine involvement of nurses, AI can never be implemented in a way that respects the right of nurses and patients—those whose lives it claims to improve.
Check out National Nurses United’s Nurses and Patients’ Bill of Rights: Guiding Principles for A.I. Justice in Nursing and Health Care to learn more.
NYSNA Nurses Protect Patient Safety and Nursing Practice from AI
NYSNA nurses will always put safe, quality patient care before profits. But Wall Street sees artificial intelligence in healthcare as a big money-making opportunity. Our patients shouldn’t be put at risk so that Wall Street billionaires can get richer from rolling out untested artificial technology in our hospitals before it has been proven safe and free from bias.
NYSNA believes that the nurses and the frontline staff who do the work and have the expertise must have a voice in how and when new technologies like AI are rolled out.
Many of our union contracts are now explicit that nurses must be consulted when new technology is introduced in the healthcare workplace, so we can assess its impact on quality patient care and nurse practice. Several contracts now put guardrails on the use of AI in healthcare, including:
- Establishing multi-disciplinary committees that include nurses to review, evaluate, and make recommendations on the adoption of new technology and the continued use of existing technology.
- Preventing the required use of machine learning and/or artificial intelligence to make clinical decisions.
- Protections for nurses who escalate concerns or question recommendations supplied to them by machine learning and/or artificial intelligence.
- Advanced notice for nurses whose practice will be impacted by the implementation or piloting of new technologies, including machine learning and/or artificial intelligence.