New Technological Advances: Hope for a Future in Medicine

Solar cells as implants are no longer just a topic of theoretical research. Organic photoactive layers can be used to generate voltage for deep brain stimulators or so-called nerve conduits. Solar-powered implants eliminate the need to change batteries, reduce the risk of infection associated with surgery and are also easy to manufacture.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) applications in medicine are hoped to improve healthcare and to advance health equity. While the technology carries the potential to improve health services, the ethical and societal implications need to be carefully considered to avoid harmful consequences for individuals and groups, especially for the most vulnerable. It is therefore inevitable to identify what types of ethical issues are raised by AI, and to analyse how these issues are tackled in biomedical research.