Artificial Intelligence in Critical Care Nursing: Benefits, Risks, and Ethical Considerations

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The rapid evolution of artificial intelligence technologies, particularly in critical care nursing, presents opportunities and ethical challenges. Artificial intelligence has potential to enhance patient care and clinical decision-making, yet concerns regarding privacy, consent, bias, discrimination, and the dehumanization of care persist. OBJECTIVE: To explore the intersection of artificial intelligence and ethics in nursing, with a focus on ethical implications for patient care and clinical decision-making. METHODS: A comprehensive literature search was done for this narrative review to synthesize knowledge on artificial intelligence in nursing, incorporating insights from nursing, information technology, legal studies, and medicine. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Artificial intelligence technologies are reshaping nursing workflows and can improve health care outcomes. However, these technologies introduce complex ethical concerns, including the risk for bias, data privacy issues, and the potential for reduced human interaction in patient care. Critical care nurses are uniquely positioned to leverage artificial intelligence effectively while identifying and mitigating risks related to its use. The involvement of critical care nurses in the development and application of artificial intelligence technologies is essential to ensure the accuracy, safety, and fairness of these tools. CONCLUSION: Critical care nurses must advocate for the ethical integration of artificial intelligence in health care, ensuring alignment with core nursing values such as autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, justice, and veracity. By actively participating in discussions, monitoring artificial intelligence tools, and providing feedback, nurses can help to ensure that artificial intelligence technologies enhance patient care while upholding the ethical principles fundamental to nursing practice.

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