Ethics and standards in the use of artificial intelligence in medicine on behalf of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists

Abstract

Introduction: The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists (RANZCR) led the medical community in Australia and New Zealand in considering the impact of machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) in health care. RANZCR identified that medical leadership was largely absent from these discussions, with a notable absence of activity from governments in the Australasian region up to 2019. The clinical radiology and radiation oncology sectors were considered ripe for the adoption of AI, and this raised a range of concerns about how to ensure the ethical application of AI and to guide its safe and appropriate use in our two specialties. Methods: RANZCR’s Artificial Intelligence Committee undertook a landscape review in 2019 anddetermined that AI within clinical radiology and radiation oncology had the potential to grow rapidly and significantly impact the professions. In order to address this, RANZCR drafted ethical principles on the use of AI and standards to guide deployment and engaged in extensive stakeholder consultation to ensure a range of perspectives were received and considered. Results: RANZCR published two key bodies of work: The Ethical Principles of Artificial Intelligence in Medicine, and the Standards of Practice for Artificial Intelligence in Clinical Radiology. Conclusion: RANZCR’s publications in this area have established a solid foundation to prepare for the application of AI, however more work is needed. We will continue to assess the evolution of AI and ML within our professions, strive to guide the upskilling of clinical radiologists and radiation oncologists, advocate for appropriate regulation and produce guidance to ensure that patient care is delivered safely.