Some Ethical and Legal Implications of Artificial Intelligence

Artificial intelligence (AI), which emerged in the last century, has undergone an accelerated process of evolution. Its unquestionable existence determines reactions of admiration, satisfaction, and fear. Relevant across all sectors, AI makes its presence felt, par excellence, in the healthcare sector. The varied examples of AI intervention in this sector will certainly multiply, determining implications of different natures, contributing to the so-called digital sustainability. This communication reflects our reflection on some of the ethical and legal implications of AI in healthcare. We consider aspects such as: the protection of subjects, as people with autonomy and the concept of cybernetic personality; the attribution of responsibility for actions carried out by artificial intelligence; in addition to the inherent cybersecurity concerns. As the European Union’s efforts to assume an important role in AI matters at a global level are known, we argue that each member state, and therefore also Portugal, must do so at a national level. However, given the nature of the issues at hand, effective regulatory intervention must have a transnational dimension.