Exploring the Ethical Concerns Surrounding AI in Healthcare

The IELTS Reading test is an essential component of the IELTS exam, focusing on your ability to understand and interpret written English. The test includes a variety of question types, such as multiple-choice questions, identifying information (True/False/Not Given), and matching headings, among others. The topic of “ethical concerns surrounding AI in healthcare” has become increasingly popular due to advancements in technology and its implications. Given the current trends, it is likely to appear in future IELTS exams.

Practice Reading Passage: Ethical Concerns Surrounding AI in Healthcare

Reading Passage

The deployment of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in healthcare is a double-edged sword. While AI offers numerous benefits, it also raises significant ethical concerns. One primary concern is patient privacy. AI systems that process vast amounts of healthcare data might inadvertently lead to breaches of patient confidentiality. Another critical issue is the potential for bias. AI systems are trained on historical data, which may contain inherent biases. These biases could lead to unequal treatment of patients based on race, gender, or socioeconomic status.

AI Bias in Healthcare

Moreover, the transparency of AI algorithms is a crucial ethical consideration. Many AI systems operate as “black boxes,” where the decision-making process is not visible or understandable to humans. This lack of transparency can hinder accountability and trust in healthcare decisions made by AI. Furthermore, there are concerns about the displacement of healthcare professionals. As AI systems become more capable, there is a fear that these technologies might replace human practitioners, leading to job losses and decreased human interaction in patient care.

Finally, the use of AI in healthcare raises questions about data ownership and consent. Patients must trust that their data will be used ethically and only for purposes they have consented to. Ensuring robust data governance policies and obtaining informed consent is paramount to addressing these concerns.

Questions

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What is a primary ethical concern regarding the use of AI in healthcare?

   • A. Increased healthcare costs
   • B. Patient privacy breaches
   • C. Enhanced patient recovery times
   • D. More accurate diagnostic results

2. What is a potential consequence of bias in AI systems?

   • A. Faster processing times for patient data
   • B. Equal treatment for all patients
   • C. Unequal treatment based on demographic factors
   • D. Increased transparency of decision-making processes

3. Why is the transparency of AI algorithms important?

   • A. It leads to more efficient AI systems
   • B. It ensures the accountability of the decisions made
   • C. It reduces healthcare costs
   • D. It increases the speed of healthcare delivery

True/False/Not Given

4. AI systems in healthcare never breach patient confidentiality.
5. The decision-making process in many AI systems is not transparent to humans.
6. AI ensures equal treatment for all patients regardless of demographics.

Sentence Completion

7. Ensuring robust data governance policies is essential to __.
8. AI might replace human practitioners, leading to __.

Answer Keys and Explanations

Answer Keys

Multiple Choice Questions

1. B. Patient privacy breaches
2. C. Unequal treatment based on demographic factors
3. B. It ensures the accountability of the decisions made

True/False/Not Given

4. False
5. True
6. False

Sentence Completion

7. addressing ethical concerns.
8. job losses and decreased human interaction in patient care.

Explanations

1. Patient privacy is a primary concern because AI systems could lead to unintended breaches of confidentiality.
2. AI systems trained on biased data can lead to unequal treatment of patients based on race, gender, or socioeconomic status.
3. Transparency is essential for accountability and trust in AI-based healthcare decisions.
4. AI can sometimes lead to breaches of confidentiality, so the statement is false.
5. Many AI systems operate as “black boxes,” meaning their processes are not transparent.
6. Bias in the data means AI can sometimes result in unequal treatment, making this statement false.

Common Pitfalls

• Misinterpretation of the AI bias: Candidates often misunderstand how AI biases can affect treatment outcomes.
• Overlooking the transparency issues: Many fail to understand why the “black box” nature of AI needs addressing.
• Assuming AI replaces all human roles: While AI aids healthcare, it complements rather than completely replaces human practitioners.

Vocabulary

1. Confidentiality (noun) /ˌkɑːn.fəˌden.ʃiˈæl.ə.t̬i/

   • Definition: the state of keeping or being kept secret.
   • Example: Ensuring patient confidentiality is crucial in healthcare.

2. Transparency (noun) /trænsˈpær.ən.si/

   • Definition: the quality of being easily seen through or detected.
   • Example: Transparency in AI algorithms fosters trust.

3. Govern (verb) /ˈɡʌv.ɚn/

   • Definition: to direct and control the actions of.
   • Example: It is essential to govern the use of AI with robust policies.

Grammar Focus

Passive Voice

• Example: “AI systems are trained on historical data.”
  • Structure: [Subject] + [form of ‘to be’] + [past participle]
  • Usage: Indicates the action is performed by an unspecified actor.

Tips for High IELTS Reading Scores

1. Practice different question types common in the IELTS Reading section.
2. Improve your reading speed and comprehension through timed practice.
3. Expand your vocabulary, particularly in areas like technology and healthcare.
4. Familiarize yourself with the structure and common topics of the IELTS Reading test.

By exploring and practicing the example questions above, you will be better prepared for the Reading section of the IELTS exam and improve your overall performance.