Caring in the in-between: a proposal to introduce responsible AI and robotics to healthcare
This paper develops an ethical and political framework for introducing responsible AI and robotics to healthcare based on the perspective of Science and Technology Studies and the ethics of care. The authors propose moving away from polarized utopian or dystopian narratives towards managing uncertainties through three movements: shifting focus to uncertainties, replacing human-robot interaction with a 'Robot Embedded in a Network' approach, and shifting from general normative frameworks to contexts of use. Ultimately, they argue for practical, progressive actions termed 'caring in the in-between' involving relationship monitoring, stakeholder inclusion, and making fears and hopes commensurable.
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Who issued it
Who it governs
Researchers, healthcare professionals, and technology developers looking for a sociological and ethical framework to guide the implementation of care robots and medical AI.
What the document contains
The document addresses methods for introducing responsible AI and robotics into healthcare settings, using empirical insights from a children's hospital project. It establishes an ethical-political framework based on science and technology studies and the ethics of care.
The text does not provide binding legal regulations, specific technical coding standards, or formal commercial compliance mechanisms.
- Ethical discussions around healthcare AI should move away from polarized utopian or dystopian narratives and focus instead on real uncertainties.
- The relationship between humans and care robots is better conceptualized as a 'Robot Embedded in a Network' (REN) rather than isolated human-robot interactions.
- An ethics of care approach grounds technological assessment in concrete everyday hospital practices rather than abstract general principles.
- Measured action implies progressive, reversible choices motivated by ongoing feedback, institutional monitoring, and public deliberation.
· 1 Introduction · 1.1 The narrative of promises and dangers in AI · 2 Empirical research on care robots in a children’s hospital · 3 From the world of promises and dangers to the world of uncertainties · 4 From human–robot interaction (HRI) to a robot embedded in a network (REN) · 5 From an ethical general framework to the context of use, using the ethics of care · 6 Caring in the in-between · 6.1 An ethical–political proposal to ensure responsible introduction of AI and robotics to healthcare · 7 Conclusions
How it scores
Each score is backed by a quote verified against the document text. Editorial review has not yet confirmed them.
Human Dignity
3/5Respect for the inherent worth of persons
Thus, if we take care seriously, it represents a necessary ethical and political proposition for thinking about the technologies that surround us.
6.1 An ethical–political proposal to ensure responsible introduction of AI and robotics to healthcare
screening score · 2026-10-24
Human Oversight
1/5Humans remain in control of consequential decisions
how tasks are distributed between nurses and robots, for example, if the nurse is accompanied by a robot that takes the patient's vital signs
4 From human–robot interaction (HRI) to a robot embedded in a network (REN)
screening score · 2026-10-24
Privacy
2/5Protection of personal data and private life
social bias, privacy and security, and lack of transparency
1.1 The narrative of promises and dangers in AI
screening score · 2026-10-24
Transparency
2/5Openness about how AI systems work and are used
social bias, privacy and security, and lack of transparency
1.1 The narrative of promises and dangers in AI
screening score · 2026-10-24
Impact Assessment
3/5Required assessment of an AI system's risks/impacts before or during use
Precaution requires a preliminary assessment of the associated risks and dangers in order to evaluate their severity
6.1 An ethical–political proposal to ensure responsible introduction of AI and robotics to healthcare
screening score · 2026-10-24