The Ethical Stewardship of Artificial Intelligence in Chronic Pain and Headache: A Narrative Review

As artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are becoming more pervasive in medicine, understanding their ethical considerations for chronic pain and headache management is crucial for optimizing their safety.

We reviewed thirty-eight editorial and original research articles published between 2018 and 2023, focusing on the application of AI and ML to chronic pain or headache. The core medical principles of beneficence, non-maleficence, autonomy, and justice constituted the evaluation framework. The AI applications addressed topics such as pain intensity prediction, diagnostic aides, risk assessment for medication misuse, empowering patients to self-manage their conditions, and optimizing access to care. Virtually all AI applications aligned both positively and negatively with specific medical ethics principles.

This review highlights the potential of AI to enhance patient outcomes and physicians' experiences in managing chronic pain and headache. We emphasize the importance of carefully considering the advantages, disadvantages, and unintended consequences of utilizing AI tools in chronic pain and headache, and propose the four core principles of medical ethics as an evaluation framework.