AI is transforming healthcare and raising new ethical questions

Artificial intelligence is increasingly entering healthcare, changing the way diagnoses are made, drugs are developed, and the work of medical professionals is organized. However, alongside the potential for more efficient health systems, these technologies also raise new questions concerning regulation, data protection, and the risk of deepening existing inequalities.

The topic will be the focus of the Euronews Health Summit, which will take place on March 17 in Brussels, where experts will discuss the boundaries of the digital future of European healthcare and the role of artificial intelligence within it. This was reported by Euronews.

AI technologies are already being used in several European countries. Finland is applying AI solutions in the training of healthcare professionals, Estonia is using algorithms for medical data analysis, and in Spain, technologies are being implemented in systems for early disease detection.

Despite the rapid development of technology, experts emphasize that artificial intelligence cannot and should not replace medical professionals. “Artificial intelligence is already a reality for millions of health workers and patients in the European Region,” stated Hans Kluge, the World Health Organization Regional Director for Europe.

According to him, however, without clear strategies, adequate protection of personal data, robust legal frameworks, and investments in digital and AI literacy, there is a risk that new technologies will exacerbate healthcare inequalities instead of reducing them.

The implementation of artificial intelligence is occurring against the backdrop of a growing global shortage of medical personnel, which is exacerbated by an aging population and increasing pressure on healthcare systems. Consequently, some countries and organizations are already building partnerships with technology companies to expand access to health services and alleviate the workload of medical teams.

In January 2026, the Bill Melinda Gates Foundation and OpenAI announced a $50 million (€43.6 million) initiative that includes funding, technology, and technical expertise to build capacity for using artificial intelligence in healthcare across African nations. The project will begin in Rwanda, with the goal of reaching 1,000 primary healthcare centers by 2028.

In Europe, doctors are already using so-called AI scribe tools, which automatically prepare medical documentation and notes during examinations. This allows for a reduction in administrative burden and more time to be dedicated to patients.

In parallel, AI-driven diagnostic solutions are being developed that can accelerate the disease detection process and ensure earlier access to treatment.

Alongside the potential benefits, however, warnings from experts about the risks of the rapid expansion of AI use in healthcare are growing. Research shows that language models can be problematic when seeking medical advice, as they do not always correctly assess the urgency of a given health situation.

Specialists also warn about the sensitivity of biological and medical data, as well as the need for clear rules to determine how artificial intelligence models can access it.

According to a recent report by the World Health Organization, gaps in legal liability, uneven investment in health workforce development, and the risk of excluding certain groups highlight the need for closer cooperation and stricter control over the implementation of technology.

The organization’s data shows that only 8 percent of member states have developed a national strategy for the use of artificial intelligence in healthcare—a signal that digital health ambitions must be supported by concrete policies and regulations.

As technology evolves, the question is no longer just what artificial intelligence can do in healthcare, but who determines how it is used and for whose benefit it works. What happens when algorithms are trained on unrepresentative data? Who has access to the information used by AI models? And who should regulate these technologies?

These questions are expected to be among the key topics of discussion among experts at the Euronews Health Summit in Brussels.