ETHICAL AI DILEMAS

Boost AI literacy and ethical awareness of AI in healthcare with 13 thought-provoking scenarios
co-designed by clinicians, developers, and patients
to inspire critical reflection.
Perfect for impactful Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE).

REFLECT
RETHINK
REACT

EXPLORE
EVALUATE
ETHICISE

Each card presents:
1 real-world scenario
illustrating an ethical challenge of AI in healthcare
2 reflective questions
to provoke critical thinking and discussion
4 key AI concepts
linked to the scenario, from our AI Dictionary

1St

scenario

Your doctor says a computer helped choose your treatment. But no one explains how it used your information or why it picked that treatment.
Should someone tell you how the computer used your health info?
Should you be able to see why the computer chose that treatment?

Learn the related Concepts:

DATA, TRANSPARENCY, UNDERSTANDING, XAI

2nd

scenario

An AI helps doctors decide who sees them first. One person with darker skin gets sick twice as often, but the AI says another person with lighter skin should see the doctor first.
Why do you think the AI is not fair to people with different skin colors?

What could happen if a tool like this isn’t fair?

Learn the related Concepts:

ALGORITHM, BIAS, FAIRNESS, RISK

3rd

scenario

You don’t want a computer to choose your treatment, but the hospital says there’s no doctor to help, only the AI.

Is it okay for an AI to make all the big health choices?

Should a real person always check what the AI says?

Learn the related Concepts:

HUMAN REPLACEMENT, JUDGMENT, OWNERSHIP, YOU

4th

scenario


A hospital uses a fast AI to help doctors. It uses a lot of electricity and we don’t know where it gets its information.

Should we care about the Earth when picking AI?

How can we make AI fast, safe, and good for the planet?

Learn the related Concepts:

DATA, GOVERNANCE, INVOLVEMENT, SUSTAINABILITY

5th

scenario

You go to a meeting about AI in healthcare, but no one there is your age or has your life experience.
Who should help decide how AI is made for healthcare?
Is it fair to use AI if it wasn’t made with everyone in mind?

Learn the related Concepts:

FAIRNESS, INVOLVEMENT, VALIDATION, YOU

6th

scenario

An AI tells you something wrong about your health. But no one knows who made the AI, who tested it, or how to fix the mistake.

Who should be in charge when the AI makes a mistake?

What should people check before using AI to help real patients?

Learn the related Concepts:

ERROR, GOVERNANCE, LIABILITY, VALIDATION

7th

scenario

You’re told your health info has no name on it, so it’s safe to use for AI research. Some of the details still sound a lot like you.

Is data really private if people can still guess who it’s about?

Should you still have rights over your data, even without your name?

Learn the related Concepts:

DATA, PRIVACY, RISK, ZERO TRUST

8th

scenario

An AI helps most people, but it doesn’t work well for patients who speak less common languages. No one is checking if that’s a problem.

Who should make sure AI works for everyone?

How can we find problems early, before someone gets hurt?

Learn the related Concepts:

BIAS, ERROR, KNOWLEDGE GAPS, MONITORING

9th

scenario

Your doctor gives you a care plan created with the help of an AI. It goes against what you believe is right. You try to speak, but no one asks you what you want.

Should doctors listen to both you and the AI?

How can we make sure people’s stories still matter?

Learn the related Concepts:

NARRATIVE, OWNERSHIP, WHOLENESS, YOU

10th

scenario

The doctor tells you that an AI can help decide if you need surgery. You don’t understand how it works, but they still ask you to say yes or no.

Why is it important to learn how AI works when it helps with your health?

What could happen if people just say yes to AI without asking questions?

Learn the related Concepts:

CONSCIOUS CONSENT, QUESTIONING, TRANSPARENCY, UNDERSTANDING

11th

scenario

The AI says you should get a strong medicine. But your doctor thinks you don’t need it and that it might even make you feel worse.

Should your doctor be able to choose what they think is best for you?

Why is it important that people, not just computers, make health decisions?

Learn the related Concepts:

ERROR, HUMAN REPLACEMENT, JUDGMENT, QUESTIONING

12th

scenario

The AI says you need a special test. Your doctor listens to the AI but also thinks about your feelings and what you tell them.

What things would help you and the doctor trust the computer? Maybe if it has lots of good information or if people check its answers?

Why is it important that doctors, computers and you collaborate before making a choice?

Learn the related Concepts:

JUDGMENT,  MONITORING, NARRATIVE, WHOLENESS

13th

scenario

Your health data is used in a study to help an AI learn how to find early signs of asthma. But no one tells you this, and no one asks if you’re okay with it.

How would you feel if your information was used without asking you first?

Why is it important to be asked and understand before saying yes?

Learn the related Concepts:

CONSCIOUS CONSENT, DATA, INVOLVEMENT,  PRIVACY