Navigating the ethical landscape of AI in healthcare

Navigating the ethical landscape of AI in healthcare

Navigating the ethical landscape of AI in healthcare
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In the ever-evolving landscape of technology, artificial intelligence stands as both hero and villain. Its promise of efficiency and accuracy is marred by the lurking specter of bias, especially in the delicate realm of healthcare.

So, buckle up, dear readers, as we embark on a rollercoaster ride through the wild world of AI and ethics, where laughter meets seriousness, and where the absurdity of biases meets the gravity of healthcare.

In the bustling city of Techville, the future unfolds daily, with advancements in AI revolutionizing industries. However, behind the marvels lies a shadow: the issue of bias. Today, we delve into the heart of this matter, focusing on its implications in the realm of healthcare.

As I walked through the corridors of TechMed, a state-of-the-art hospital, I couldn’t help but ponder the ethical implications of AI in healthcare. Dr. Emily, a seasoned physician, shared her insights, stating, “While AI promises efficiency and precision, it’s crucial to acknowledge its potential biases, particularly in medical diagnoses.”

Picture this: Dr. Watson, the AI wizard, struts into the hospital, armed with algorithms and a penchant for diagnosing ailments quicker than you can say “hypochondriac.” But alas, even our dear Dr. Watson isn’t immune to the pitfalls of bias. Take poor Mr. Johnson, for instance. He came into the clinic complaining of a tummy ache, only to be diagnosed with a case of “pizza-itis” by the ever-enthusiastic AI, which had been fed a steady diet of fast-food-related data.

Needless to say, Mr. Johnson’s gluten intolerance wasn’t part of the algorithm’s repertoire.

But fear not, for amid the chaos, there are voices of reason. Dr. Emily, the wise sage of the medical world, warns, “While AI can be a game-changer, we must be vigilant about the biases lurking within its circuits. After all, nobody wants to be prescribed kale smoothies for a broken leg.”

We must hold AI accountable for its biases, for in the realm of healthcare, there’s no room for error.

Rafael Hernández de Santiago

Meet Ms. Smith, a diligent worker and devoted mother. She sought medical advice for her persistent headaches. The AI algorithm swiftly diagnosed her with stress-related issues, prescribing medication accordingly. However, Ms. Smith’s condition worsened, ultimately leading to a severe neurological disorder. The AI had overlooked critical symptoms, influenced by biased data sets skewed toward stress-related diagnoses in working women.

As Ms. Smith’s story unfolded, it echoed a prevalent concern: the impact of biased algorithms on patient outcomes. Dr. Patel, an advocate for AI ethics, emphasized, “We must scrutinize the data feeding these algorithms to prevent such oversights.”

As we navigate the minefield of AI biases, we can’t help but chuckle at the absurdity of it all. From gender biases leading to misdiagnoses to racial disparities in treatment recommendations, the comedy of errors is as vast as the datasets themselves. But beneath the laughter lies a sobering reality: Lives hang in the balance, and the consequences of biased algorithms can be dire.

Enter Dr. Patel, the comic relief in our tale, with his witty retorts and a knack for cutting through the nonsense. “It’s like letting a toddler loose in a candy store,” he quips. “Sure, it’s fun at first, but someone’s bound to end up with a stomachache.”

Yet, amid the laughter, there’s a call to action. Dr. Kim, the voice of reason in our comedic ensemble, urges us to take a stand. “We must hold AI accountable for its biases,” she declares, “for in the realm of healthcare, there’s no room for error.”

In the pursuit of ethical AI, collaboration is key. Tech giants, policymakers, healthcare professionals, and ethicists must unite to establish stringent guidelines and oversight mechanisms. Transparency in algorithmic decision-making and continuous monitoring of biases are essential steps toward ethical AI implementation in healthcare.

As the sun set over Techville, illuminating the skyline, I pondered the path ahead. The journey to ethical AI in healthcare is fraught with challenges, but with unwavering commitment and collective action, we can pave the way for a future where technology serves all, without bias or prejudice.

And so, dear readers, as we bid adieu to our cast of characters and the absurdity of AI biases, let us heed the words of wisdom from the great Arab philosopher, Ibn Khaldun: “In the absence of justice, what is sovereignty but organized robbery?” Let us strive for a future where AI serves as a beacon of hope, untainted by bias, and where healthcare remains a sanctuary for all, regardless of algorithms gone awry.

Disclaimer: Views expressed by writers in this section are their own and do not necessarily reflect Arab News' point of view

Pakistan approves Hajj Policy 2025, adds new role to improve pilgrim services

Pakistan approves Hajj Policy 2025, adds new role to improve pilgrim services
Updated 8 min 56 sec ago
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Pakistan approves Hajj Policy 2025, adds new role to improve pilgrim services

Pakistan approves Hajj Policy 2025, adds new role to improve pilgrim services
  • Pakistan will send 179,210 pilgrims, equally divided between the government and private sector
  • Government will prioritize first-time pilgrims in the official balloting process, says a statement

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s federal cabinet on Tuesday approved the Hajj Policy 2025, said an official statement, specifying a quota of 179,210 pilgrims and introducing a new position of the “nazim” or administrator to ensure improved services for those embarking on the spiritual journey.
Hajj, one of Islam’s five pillars, is an annual pilgrimage to Makkah undertaken by millions of Muslims. Pakistan has one of the largest Hajj quotas provided by Saudi Arabia to any Muslim country amid immense demand for the pilgrimage, with many citizens waiting years for an opportunity to participate.
“The federal cabinet approved the Hajj Policy 2025 on the recommendation of the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony,” an official handout from the Prime Minister’s Office said. “The cabinet was informed that Pakistan’s Hajj quota for 2025 will be 179,210, divided equally between the government and the private sector.”
The new policy includes the creation of a “nazim” position, aimed at ensuring the well-being of pilgrims throughout the journey.
“For every 100 pilgrims, one nazim will be appointed from the welfare staff,” the handout added, underscoring the government’s intent to improve the pilgrimage experience.
Under the policy, children under 12 will not be allowed to travel for Hajj. Government quota allocation will be conducted through computerized balloting, with 1,000 seats reserved for hardship cases and 300 for laborers or low-income employees registered with the Workers Welfare Fund or the Employees Old-Age Benefits Institution.
Additionally, the Makkah Route Initiative, offering streamlined immigration services, will be available at Islamabad and Karachi international airports. To further enhance the experience, Hajj Group Organizers will sign service agreements with the Ministry of Religious Affairs, with close monitoring of service quality.
In light of previous challenges, the cabinet has increased compensation for pilgrims who may pass away or get injured during the pilgrimage. The families of deceased pilgrims will receive Rs1 million to Rs2 million, while injured pilgrims will receive Rs1 million in compensation.
A specialized Hajj management app has also been developed to support pilgrims, along with extensive training initiatives.
The cabinet directed priority in the balloting process to first-time pilgrims and emphasized the importance of ensuring top-quality services for all participants.


Pakistan government defends bills extending tenure of armed services chiefs

Pakistan government defends bills extending tenure of armed services chiefs
Updated 15 min 57 sec ago
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Pakistan government defends bills extending tenure of armed services chiefs

Pakistan government defends bills extending tenure of armed services chiefs
  • Parliament has approved bills to extend tenure of army, navy, and air force chiefs from 3 to 5 years
  • Opposition fears extending tenure will consolidate the hold of already all-powerful army chief

Defense Minister Khawaja Asif has defended the passage this week by Pakistan’s parliament of bills that extend the tenures of the army, navy and air force chiefs, saying the move would check against services chiefs granting themselves extensions and “formalize” the duration of their service.

The bills, approved by Pakistan’s National Assembly and Senate on Monday, have been pushed by the coalition government led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif which argues that they are aimed at building continuity and avoiding some of the political turmoil that usually surrounds the appointment of the army chief every three years. The bills also extend the tenure of the heads of the navy and air force, though those positions hold less influence in Pakistan.

The office of the army chief is considered to be the most powerful in the country, with the army having ruled Pakistan for almost half of its 75-year -long history. Even when not directly in power, the army is considered to be the invisible guiding hand in politics and holds considerable sway in internal security, foreign policy, and economic affairs, among other domains. Several army chiefs in the past have been given extensions in service.

“What we did [passage of bills], these extensions [in army chief’s term] started from Ayub Khan’s time,” Defense Minister Khawaja Asif said, referring to a Pakistani general who carried out a military coup in 1958 and ruled until 1969.

“That thing has been formalized now, and we have increased the tenure. You pick up the rest of the institutions. [...] the National Assembly [term] is also for five years.”

“Now the trend of extensions, how it was in the past that people gave an extension to themselves [will be ended],” Asif added, referring to now retired Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa, who served as army chief from 2016-22 after getting a three-year extension.

Speaking to a Pakistani news channel, Information Minister Ataullah Tarar also said the uncertainty surrounding the army chief’s appointment had been addressed through the new legislation.

“The five-year tenure [of the services chiefs] will not affect the institution’s merit-based system … The amendments are not introduced suddenly, instead the consultation on them was underway, and this legislation is not done for any individual.”

OPPOSITION STANCE

As the bills were passed on Monday in the National Assembly, opposition lawmakers from the PTI party of imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan chanted against the measure. Some of them tore up copies of the bills and threw them at Speaker Ayaz Sadiq for not allowing debate. A similar protest by lawmakers from Khan’s party took place when the bill was quickly passed by the Senate, where Sharif’s party also holds a majority. The bill will now go to the president for his approval.

Omar Ayub Khan, a top leader of Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, or PTI, told reporters after the bill passed that the legislation “is neither good for country nor for the armed forces.”

The PTI is widely believed to be against an extension in service particularly for incumbent Army Chief Gen. Asim Munir, who it considers to be behind the ouster of Khan from the PM’s office in a parliamentary vote of no-confidence in 2022. The PTI also says the army is behind legal cases against Khan that have kept him in prison since August last year. The military denies any interference in politics.

The passage of the new bills follows controversial amendments made to the constitution last month, granting lawmakers the authority to nominate the chief justice of Pakistan, who previously used to be automatically appointed according to the principle of seniority.

The amendments allowed the government to bypass the senior-most judge of the Supreme Court, Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, and appoint Justice Yahya Afridi as the country’s top judge.

The opposition and the legal fraternity had opposed the amendments, arguing that they were aimed at granting more power to the executive in making judicial appointments and curtailing the independence of the judiciary. The government denies this.


Saudi cabinet highlights diplomatic efforts for regional stability, including Two-State Solution alliance meeting

Saudi cabinet highlights diplomatic efforts for regional stability, including Two-State Solution alliance meeting
Updated 12 min 13 sec ago
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Saudi cabinet highlights diplomatic efforts for regional stability, including Two-State Solution alliance meeting

Saudi cabinet highlights diplomatic efforts for regional stability, including Two-State Solution alliance meeting

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman chaired the Saudi Cabinet session on Tuesday, where the Cabinet reaffirmed the Kingdom’s efforts to promote peace and security in the region.

The cabinet discussed Saudi Arabia's recent hosting of the inaugural meeting of the Global Alliance to Implement the Two-State Solution, which drew representatives from 90 countries and international organizations.

The Kingdom called for an Arab-Islamic summit to address the ongoing Israeli aggression in Palestinian territories and Lebanon.

The Cabinet also emphasized the urgent need for a political solution to the crisis in Sudan, calling on all parties to uphold the commitments outlined in the "Jeddah Declaration" signed in May 2023.

It stressed the importance of an immediate ceasefire, halting hostilities, and ensuring humanitarian aid can reach those in need without obstruction.


Explosion occurs at Turkish oil refinery during drills

Explosion occurs at Turkish oil refinery during drills
Updated 20 min 22 sec ago
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Explosion occurs at Turkish oil refinery during drills

Explosion occurs at Turkish oil refinery during drills
  • A fire was quickly brought under control by the privately owned company’s own emergency crews

ANKARA: An explosion occurred at an oil refinery in northwestern Turkey on Tuesday, an official said, adding the situation was “under control” and there were no reports of any casualties.
Mayor Tahir Buyukakin told private NTV television that the blast occurred at the Turkish Petroleum Refineries company, Tupras, in Izmit provicince during “routine drills.”
A fire was quickly brought under control by the privately owned company’s own emergency crews and no request for help was made, he said.
Video footage from the site showed smoke rising from the refinery.
It was not immediately clear what caused the explosion.


Lebanon media reports strike on residential building south of Beirut

Lebanon media reports strike on residential building south of Beirut
Updated 27 min 10 sec ago
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Lebanon media reports strike on residential building south of Beirut

Lebanon media reports strike on residential building south of Beirut

BEIRUT: Lebanese state media reported a strike on an apartment in the Jiyeh coastal area south of Beirut on Tuesday, more than a month into the Israel-Hezbollah war.
The official National News Agency said “a raid targeted a residential apartment in a building in the town of Jiyeh,” where an AFP correspondent said a large plume of grey smoke covered the area.