Pope asks for extra care when using AI in medicine – usccb

Report on the Ethical Integration of Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare in Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction: Context and Core Message

A message from Pope Leo XIV to the international congress, “AI and Medicine: The Challenge of Human Dignity,” held in Rome from November 10-12, provides a critical framework for evaluating the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in the medical field. The congress, sponsored by the Pontifical Academy for Life and the International Federation of Catholic Medical Associations, addressed the deployment of AI for diagnostics, personalized therapy, and research. The central theme of the papal message was the imperative to align technological advancement with fundamental human dignity and the global commitment to sustainable development, particularly concerning health, equality, and partnership.

Advancing SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

The integration of AI into medicine directly impacts the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 3, which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all. Pope Leo XIV’s message underscores that while technology offers significant benefits, its primary measure of success must be its contribution to human welfare.

• Enhancing Patient Care: The Pope stipulated that AI must “truly enhance both interpersonal relationships and the care provided,” ensuring that innovation serves the core mission of healthcare.
• Prioritizing the Vulnerable: A key principle articulated was that “the greater the fragility of human life, the greater the nobility required of those entrusted with its care.” This aligns with SDG 3’s target of universal health coverage, emphasizing that technological benefits must reach the most vulnerable populations.
• Preserving the Human Element: The report highlights concerns that an over-reliance on technology could erode the personal connection between patients and healthcare professionals, a vital component of holistic well-being.

Upholding SDG 10 and SDG 16: Reduced Inequalities and Just Institutions

The ethical application of AI in medicine is crucial for promoting equality and building just, effective institutions. The Pope’s message warns against unchecked technological and economic interests that could exacerbate existing disparities.

Key Directives for Equitable Implementation

1. Protecting Inherent Dignity: The foundational principle is that every human being possesses dignity “simply because he or she exists.” This must guide the development and regulation of AI to prevent discrimination and ensure technology serves all individuals, irrespective of their health status, thereby supporting SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).
2. Ethical Governance: The message implicitly calls for strong institutional oversight, aligning with SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions). Ensuring AI is used ethically requires robust governance frameworks to manage its influence and protect human rights.
3. Counteracting Dehumanization: Pope Leo XIV cautioned that technology’s pervasive influence can alter human perception and interaction, risking a loss of what is “truly human.” This calls for institutional policies that mandate human-centric design and application of AI in healthcare.

Fostering SDG 9 and SDG 17: Sustainable Innovation and Global Partnerships

The message frames the challenge of AI in medicine as an opportunity for inclusive innovation and global collaboration, reflecting the spirit of SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

• A Call for International Collaboration: Recognizing the “vast economic interests often at stake,” Pope Leo XIV asserted the essential need “to promote a broad collaboration among all those working in health care and politics that extends well beyond national borders.” This is a direct appeal for the multi-stakeholder partnerships central to SDG 17.
• Responsible Innovation: The discussion encourages a model of innovation (SDG 9) that is not purely profit-driven but is guided by ethical considerations and the ultimate goal of enhancing human life. The responsible use of technology is presented as a shared global responsibility.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

   • SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: This is the primary SDG addressed, as the entire article focuses on the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the medical field, the quality of patient care, and the ethical considerations surrounding healthcare technologies. The discussion revolves around using AI for diagnosis, therapy, and research to improve health outcomes while preserving the dignity of patients.
   • SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: The article directly discusses a major technological innovation (AI) and its integration into a critical sector (healthcare). It highlights the need for responsible and ethical innovation, touching upon the infrastructure required to implement AI in medicine while considering its societal impact.
   • SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities: The Pope’s emphasis on the dignity of every human being, “no matter how sick or fragile,” and the responsibility to care for the most vulnerable connects to this goal. It implies that technological advancements in healthcare should be inclusive and serve all people, preventing the creation of new inequalities in access to quality care.
   • SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: The article explicitly mentions the need for global cooperation. Pope Leo’s call for “broad collaboration among all those working in health care and politics that extends well beyond national borders” directly aligns with the principle of forming partnerships to address complex global challenges like the ethical governance of technology.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

   • Target 3.8 (under SDG 3): Achieve universal health coverage, including… access to quality essential health-care services… The article discusses using AI to “diagnose patients, personalize therapy, read x-rays and other diagnostic images,” which are all methods to improve the quality and effectiveness of essential healthcare services. The ethical concern is to ensure this technology “truly enhances… the care provided.”
   • Target 9.5 (under SDG 9): Enhance scientific research, upgrade the technological capabilities of industrial sectors in all countries… encouraging innovation… The article is centered on a significant technological innovation (AI) and its application in the medical field. The congress mentioned, “AI and Medicine: The Challenge of Human Dignity,” directly addresses how to encourage this innovation while managing its ethical challenges.
   • Target 10.2 (under SDG 10): By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of… disability… or other status. The Pope’s statement that “the greater the fragility of human life, the greater the nobility required of those entrusted with its care” supports the principle of inclusion, ensuring that the benefits of AI in medicine are accessible and dignify every person, especially the most vulnerable.
   • Target 17.16 (under SDG 17): Enhance the global partnership for sustainable development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships… The Pope’s call to “promote a broad collaboration among all those working in health care and politics that extends well beyond national borders” is a direct reference to the need for such global and multi-stakeholder partnerships to govern the use of AI in medicine.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

   • Implied Indicator for Target 3.8: The article implies a qualitative indicator related to the quality of the patient-provider relationship and preservation of human dignity in care. A key concern noted is “preserving the personal connection between patients and their health care professionals.” Progress could be measured through patient satisfaction surveys or the development and adoption of care protocols that integrate AI while safeguarding interpersonal relationships.
   • Implied Indicator for Target 9.5: An indicator for responsible innovation is the development and implementation of ethical frameworks for AI in medicine. The article highlights that a “key concern at the meeting… was on the ethical use of AI in medicine,” suggesting that the creation and adoption of such ethical guidelines would be a measure of progress.
   • Implied Indicator for Target 17.16: A direct indicator is the number and effectiveness of international, multi-stakeholder partnerships established to govern AI in healthcare. The Pope’s call for “broad collaboration” to manage the “fight for control” over these technologies suggests that tracking the formation of such collaborative bodies would be a relevant measure of progress.

4. Create a table with three columns titled ‘SDGs, Targets and Indicators” to present the findings from analyzing the article. In this table, list the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), their corresponding targets, and the specific indicators identified in the article.

   SDGs	Targets	Indicators (Implied from Article)
   SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being	Target 3.8: Achieve access to quality essential health-care services.	Qualitative assessment of the patient-professional relationship and the degree to which human dignity is preserved in AI-assisted care.
   SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure	Target 9.5: Enhance scientific research and encourage innovation.	The number and scope of ethical frameworks developed and adopted for the use of AI in medicine.
   SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities	Target 10.2: Promote the social inclusion of all, irrespective of disability or other status.	Policies and practices ensuring that AI in healthcare serves the most fragile and vulnerable populations without discrimination.
   SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals	Target 17.16: Enhance the global partnership for sustainable development.	The number of international and multi-stakeholder collaborations formed between healthcare and political bodies to govern AI.

Source: usccb.org