Medical association urges legislation to shield doctors from AI liability

The American Medical Association is advocating for federal and state legislation to shield physicians from legal liability when patient harm results from the use of artificial intelligence tools, even when those tools are employed as intended. This push comes as AI clinical tools are rapidly integrating into healthcare settings, granting algorithms greater influence over critical decisions, such as prescribing medication or ordering diagnostic tests. The AMA's concern stems from the blurring lines of medical negligence when decisions are informed by sophisticated software. Currently, courts across the country are establishing that the entities developing, training, and deploying AI systems hold responsibility for the systems' actions, according to University of California, Davis professor Martin Hilbert. This context follows existing lawsuits involving algorithm-driven medical choices, including a wrongful death case in Alabama related to a heart abnormality screening tool. Meanwhile, the Food and Drug Administration is currently evaluating the necessity of a new regulatory framework for AI-enabled medical devices.