Foundation models in medicine are a social experiment: time for an ethical framework

Abstract

Foundation models are rapidly integrated into medicine, offering opportunities and ethical challenges. Unlike traditional medical technologies, they often enter real-world use without rigorous testing or oversight. We argue that their use constitutes a social experiment. This perspective highlights the unpredictable and partly uncontrollable nature of foundation models. We propose an ethical framework to guide responsible implementation, focusing on conditions for responsible experimentation rather than unattainable full predictability.

Topics & Concepts