Expert Discusses Challenges and Ethical Considerations of AI | APhA 2025
Ravi Patel, PharmD, MBA, MS, lead innovation advisor in the School of Pharmacy at the University of Pittsburgh, discusses challenges with new technology and the future of artificial intelligence in pharmacy.
Ravi Patel, PharmD, MBA, MS, lead innovation advisor in the School of Pharmacy at the University of Pittsburgh, explores the complex landscape of artificial intelligence (AI) implementation in health care, with a particular focus on the critical role pharmacists can play in navigating technological challenges. Patel emphasizes that while AI presents innovative opportunities, it also introduces significant ethical and practical considerations that require careful human oversight. A central theme is the need to balance technological advancement with human-centered approaches. He highlights key challenges in AI implementation, including data ownership, trust, and potential biases. Ethical questions arise around who controls medical data, particularly when personal health records are incorporated into research datasets. Pharmacists are positioned as crucial advocates who can proactively address these concerns by asking critical questions about data usage, ownership, and patient consent.
Patel also delves into the potential risks of AI, such as exacerbating digital divides and perpetuating data biases. By using data from limited or specific populations, AI technologies might inadvertently create or amplify existing disparities. However, he views this challenge as an opportunity for continuous improvement, suggesting that each iteration of AI technology can be an opportunity to recognize and address previous limitations. AI is not a replacement for human expertise but a collaborative tool that can enhance professional practice. The key is to approach technological integration thoughtfully, focusing on core competencies while remaining adaptable. Pharmacists and other health care professionals are encouraged to be active participants in AI development, ensuring that new technologies genuinely solve human problems and respect ethical considerations.
"We have an opportunity to make a new technology more than just a novelty or a scary idea and make it a true collaborative approach between the humans and the technology that can improve their work," Patel said.
