INFORMED CONSENT IN THE AGE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE: CHALLENGES IN NIGERIAN HEALTHCARE

Abstract

Artificial Intelligence in healthcare no doubt enables more precise and enhanced diagnostics, enhanced treatment plans, and efficient resource management, and enhanced treatment outcomes. Informed consent is a fundamental principle that ensures patients understand the nature of their treatment, and associated risks; with the introduction of artificial intelligence in healthcare, informed consent extends to patients’ knowledge and understanding of the role of technology in their care.  However, the complexity of artificial intelligence algorithms makes the informed consent process difficult, as patients encounter difficulty in understanding how these technologies influence their treatment decisions. This article examines the intersection of informed consent and the use of artificial intelligence in healthcare within the Nigerian context; explores the challenges posed by artificial intelligence in obtaining informed consent and underscores the importance of adapting informed consent processes to meet the challenges posed by emerging technologies in healthcare. This paper explores the challenges in navigating the informed consent systems in the age of artificial intelligence technology, particularly with the limited technological literacy, and regulatory gaps; and  highlights the need for clear and specific legal framework  that regulate  informed consent to reflect the current trend of the use of artificial intelligence technology in healthcare, and as such address the legal and ethical challenges of informed consent in the era of Artificial intelligence in Nigeria. The article makes recommendations to ensure equitable practices in obtaining informed consent in the age of Artificial Intelligence.