AI's Unequal Hand: Bias in Healthcare Algorithms
The Hidden Dangers of AI: How Algorithmic Bias Threatens Healthcare Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing many sectors, including healthcare. From diagnosing diseases to personalizing treatment plans, AI algorithms promise faster, more accurate, and efficient care. However, lurking beneath this shiny veneer lies a dark secret: algorithmic bias. This insidious problem can have devastating consequences for patients, particularly those from marginalized communities. What is Algorithmic Bias? Simply put, algorithmic bias occurs when an AI system produces discriminatory outcomes against individuals or groups based on their protected characteristics like race, gender, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status. This happens because the data used to train these algorithms often reflects existing societal biases. Imagine an algorithm trained on medical records where patients from certain racial...