The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Health Equity in Dermatology

Artificial intelligence (AI) refers to a technology in which a machine is able to perform a task simulating human intelligence. This review aims to examine the impact of AI on health equity within dermatology. While AI has become increasingly utilized in dermatological practice, this analysis highlights the potential negative consequences it may pose.

There are several AI applications in dermatology that have already perpetuated inequities in the field. For example, certain AI models exhibit higher accuracy in detecting melanoma on light skin compared to dark skin. There are many factors that affect bias in creation of AI algorithms including the use of retrospective data, lack of diverse datasets and limited transparency in algorithm creation.

Given the rapid integration of AI into dermatology and existing health disparities in the field, addressing these concerns is essential to ensure that technological advancements are moving the field forward while promoting equitable healthcare outcomes.