The Ethics of Implementing Watson-like Algorithms in Neonatal Care Caitlin Buckhauts

Ethical Issue Supercomputers using the same technology that Watson used to defeat Jeopardy champions is being considered for use monitoring ICU babies for hospital-bourne infection. Replacing humans with algorithms that are still in their beginning stages can risk killing neonatal babies.

Ethical Analysis The interested parties are the parents and their children, the hospital staff, and the computer developers. The parents want safety for their children, the hospital staff want safety for the children and to keep their jobs, and the computer developers want safety for the children and to see their code implemented. A: The hospital staff does all of the monitoring. Best case: The hospital staff is trained well enough to catch infections and children don't die. Worst case: The hospital staff misses information and children die. The worst case is intolerable. B: The computer does all of the monitoring. Best case: The computer decreases the number of neonatal deaths per year. Worst case: The number of neonatal deaths per year increases. The worst case is intolerable. C:Both the staff and the computer monitor babies. Best case: The computer and staff each catch cases that the other would miss, the number of neonatal deaths per year significantly decreases. Worst case: Either the computer or the staff end up being redundant and the hospital has wasted money. The worst case is acceptable. C is the best solution in this problem.

Ethical Analysis (contd) This solution can be used for everyone, it is not location specific. This solution treats people as ends, it works to save neonatal lives as much as possible. This solution is accord with nature, as survival of the species is very natural. This solution is balanced between excessive computer and excessive human monitoring. This solution would be considered the most efficient means by the majority of humans because it minimizes mistakes. It also saves lives and jobs, so is the solution that produces the greatest good for the greatest number of people. This solution is one that I feel most commited to in my own conscience, even though it does not benefit me personally. I chose this method in an autonomous manner. This solution seems to fit every philosophy.

ACM Code of Ethics This code Contributes to society and human well being (by preventing neonatal death), avoids harm to others, is honest and trustworthy (includes a backup system for the truth to come out), and does not discriminate between children.