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Artificial intelligence in nuclear medicine: ethical, legal and perspective challenges


Authors: M. Bejtic 1,2;  V. Kamírová 1;  O. Lang 1;  M. Lang 1;  M. Darsa 2
Authors‘ workplace: Prague Medical Care Department, s. r. o., Praha 1;  Fakulta biomedicínského inženýrství, České vysoké učení technické v Praze, Kladno, ČR 2
Published in: NuklMed 2026;15:34-39
Category: Review Article

Overview

This article addresses broader considerations related to the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in nuclear medicine that extend beyond purely technical performance. It first focuses on the issue of AI trustworthiness and explainability (Explainable AI, XAI), emphasizing the importance of transparent and clinically interpretable outputs for both physicians and patients. The review then outlines key regulatory frameworks governing the deployment of AI in healthcare, including the requirements of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and European legislation, particularly the Medical Device Regulation (MDR), CE marking, and the forthcoming Artificial Intelligence Act. Ethical aspects are discussed, such as the risk of bias in training datasets leading to inequalities in healthcare, the protection of sensitive patient data during AI development, and the clarification of physician responsibility when AI is used as a decision-support tool. In addition, the article summarizes attitudes of healthcare professionals and patients toward AI based on published surveys, which reveal both optimism regarding its potential benefits and concerns about its impact on clinical practice. Finally, future perspectives of AI in nuclear medicine up to the year 2030 are considered, including anticipated technological advances and deeper integration into clinical workflows, alongside the continued need for human oversight and adherence to ethical principles. Overall, the article highlights that the successful implementation of AI in nuclear medicine requires not only robust technology, but also trust, regulatory clarity, and broad acceptance within the medical community.

Keywords:

bias – ethics – regulation – explainable AI – trustworthiness – AI in medicine


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Labels
Nuclear medicine Radiodiagnostics Radiotherapy
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