Informed Consent and AI: Should Patients Have a Choice? With: Dr. Stephen Speicher
Dr. Stephen Speicher, Head of Clinical Oncology and Safety at Flatiron Health, shares insights on the evolving dynamics of informed consent in the age of artificial intelligence. As AI tools become increasingly embedded in clinical workflows, Speicher discusses whether patients should be informed, opt out, or share responsibility in these decisions. He addresses the ambiguity surrounding consent for ambient AI tools and the ethical dilemmas clinicians face when transparency meets technological complexity. The conversation underscores that as AI shifts toward becoming a standard of care, questions of healthcare informed consent and patient privacy become not only technical but deeply human. Speicher provides a thoughtful, systems-level view of this important intersection of AI and informed consent.
Episode Contents:
About the Guest
Dr. Stephen Speicher is a pediatric hematologist-oncologist and healthcare systems engineer. He serves as Head of Clinical Oncology and Safety at Flatiron Health: https://www.flatiron.com/about/leadership/stephen-speicher-md
Key Takeaways
- Patients increasingly expect transparency about AI in their care.
- Healthcare informed consent practices must evolve with new technologies.
- Future AI integration may limit the feasibility of patient opt-outs.
Transcript Summary
Should patients be informed or have the right to opt out when AI is used in their care?
Dr. Speicher acknowledges this is a complex issue. While AI is not yet standard of care, he suggests obtaining some form of informed consent is prudent as a best practice. As AI becomes more embedded in EHRs and clinical workflows, the ability to inform or allow opt-outs may diminish. He emphasizes the importance of proactive transparency.
Will patients bear some responsibility in AI-driven decisions?
Speicher reflects on the evolving role of the patient as an active participant in care. While he stops short of assigning responsibility, he highlights how empowered patients are already asking detailed questions thanks to tools like Google and ChatGPT.
What happens when AI becomes standard of care?
Speicher warns that when AI is deeply embedded, opt-out options may no longer be technically feasible. He expresses concern that a high-profile AI failure could shift public opinion negatively, potentially stalling innovation.
More Topics
- AI in Patient Care
- AI in the Healthcare Industry
- AI and Medical Innovation
- Healthcare Ethics and Policy
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About the Series
AI and Healthcare—with Mika Newton and Dr. Sanjay Juneja is an engaging interview series featuring world-renowned leaders shaping the intersection of artificial intelligence and medicine.
Dr. Sanjay Juneja, a hematologist and medical oncologist widely recognized as “TheOncDoc,” is a trailblazer in healthcare innovation and a rising authority on the transformative role of AI in medicine.
Mika Newton is an expert in healthcare data management, with a focus on data completeness and universality. Mika is on the editorial board of AI in Precision Oncology and is no stranger to bringing transformative technologies to market and fostering innovation.