Disclosing AI use in health care: Patients 'deserve to know' lawmaker says

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(The Center Square) - A House committee on Tuesday endorsed the concept that a medical patient has the right to know when artificial intelligence is being used in health care and to have confidence human beings are still part of decision-making for the patient.

The concepts were in a bill sponsored by medical doctor and lawmaker Rep. Arvind Venkat, an Allegheny County Democrat who said the medical industry's use of AI was racing ahead at such pace that it was imperative his bill move forward.

Right now, in hospitals, he said patients "are flying blind. We don't when AI is being used," he said.

The bill was endorsed by all Democrats on the House Communications & Technology Committee and some Republicans. Separately, the panel advanced a bill that would require labelling of any content including AI - a proposal that sponsoring Rep. Chris Pielli summed up as, "If it is AI, it has to say it is AI, in the sale of goods."

Venkat, an emergency room physician, said the bill on AI disclosures in health care was an attempt to create "guard rails." The chairman of the committee, Democratic Rep. Joe Ciresi of Montgomery County, said Republican Attorney General Dave Sunday supported the bill.

Opponents included state Rep. Eric Nelson, a Westmoreland County Republican. "Placing a Pennsylvania-specific regulation on something that is changing so fast could stifle opportunity," he said.

The committee approval vote was 19-7, with all Democrats in favor. They were joined by Republican Reps. Jason Ortitay of Washington County; Valerie Gaydos of Allegheny County; Robert Leadbeter of Columbia County; Jim Rigby of Cambria County; and Joanne Stehr of Schuylkill County.

The bill now goes to the full House for consideration.

Pielli, a Chester County Democrat, said the basic concept of his bill was "caveat emptor," a Latin phrase which roughly translated means "buyer beware." It would require a disclosure on any form of advertising or product description that uses AI.

In an interview, Pielli gave an example of a video advertisement for a car that was doing maneuvers, but was actually an AI-generated video. "People who are watching that deserve to know," Pielli said.

He first introduced a form of the bill three years ago, when the current AI mania had barely started. Since then, he said, developments have been rapid and it was unwise to put off action.

"Millions are poured into this industry," Pielli said. "Do we really want to wait and see how advanced it is going to be a year from now?"

The committee vote on the bill was a party-line 14-12, with all Democrats in favor and all Republicans opposed. The bill now goes to the full House for consideration.