Workers’ Rights And Ethical Use Of Artificial Intelligence In Healthcare

WHEREAS, the integration of artificial intelligence in healthcare has the potential to revolutionize patient care, improve diagnostics and enhance treatment outcomes; and

WHEREAS, AI technologies, including machine learning algorithms, natural language processing and predictive analytics, are increasingly being used in medical imaging, drug discovery, personalized medicine and administrative tasks; and

WHEREAS, the responsible and ethical deployment of AI in healthcare requires careful consideration of patient and worker privacy, transparency, accountability and equity; and

WHEREAS, healthcare workers play a critical role in implementing and overseeing AI systems within their institutions; and

WHEREAS, the impact of AI on healthcare workers, patients and society at large must be thoroughly and continuously evaluated to ensure positive outcomes; and

WHEREAS, the union represents the interests of healthcare professionals and advocates for their well-being and their ability to provide quality patient care:

RESOLVED, that the AFT advocates the use of AI to support, not replace, healthcare workers in advancing patient care; and

RESOLVED, that the AFT will fight to ensure AI systems used in healthcare settings be implemented in a manner that is transparent and explainable. Healthcare professionals must have access to clear education and training on how AI algorithms function, their limitations, and potential biases. Institutions must provide ongoing training to healthcare staff on AI technologies, including their benefits and risks; and

RESOLVED, that the AFT will advocate for policies that ensure that patient data used for AI training and validation must be de-identified and comply with privacy regulations (e.g., HIPAA). Informed consent should be obtained from patients when AI algorithms are directly involved in their healthcare decisions; and

RESOLVED, that the AFT will advocate for policies that require that AI algorithms be rigorously tested for bias and fairness, with any disparities across demographic groups addressed. Institutions must be held accountable for active monitoring and mitigation of any unintended consequences of AI implementation, especially related to gaps in the quality of health and healthcare across racial, ethnic and socioeconomic populations; and

RESOLVED, that the AFT will support affiliates through creation of policy guidance and representational resources that require institutions to conduct regular assessments and evaluations of the impact of AI on healthcare workers’ roles, workload, job satisfaction and job security. This includes implementation of measures to prevent job displacement or burnout due to the use of AI; and

RESOLVED, that the AFT will advocate for policies that ensure healthcare workers’ autonomy and professional judgment is not compromised by AI systems, and that any surveillance of healthcare workers using AI will not be conducted in violation of workers’ rights; and

RESOLVED, that the AFT will demand that institutions deploying AI in healthcare must assume responsibility for any adverse outcomes resulting from AI decisions and will fight to ensure that health professionals are not liable for errors made by AI systems; and

RESOLVED, that it is the policy of the AFT that healthcare professionals, including nurses, physicians and allied professionals, through their unions, should actively participate in the development, implementation and evaluation of AI systems; and

RESOLVED, that the AFT will monitor and support research on AI applications in healthcare, including studies on patient outcomes, cost-effectiveness and the healthcare workforce, lifting up examples where innovations support the workforce and enhance patient care.