Data Privacy and Digital Health Records: Legal Implications of AI-Driven Healthcare Systems

Abstract

This research explores the ethical, legal, and privacy issues surrounding the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare, particularly relating to patient privacy, data protection and regulatory frameworks. The aim is to investigate the effects of new AI technologies on healthcare data governance, and to suggest approaches to reconcile innovation and ethics. Our approach includes a review and synthesis of current literature, highlighting themes such as privacy-preserving methods, cybersecurity measures and legal norms. Critical analysis is applied to identify shortcomings in the current practices and evaluate the adequacy of current regulatory frameworks. The findings show that although AI improves the accuracy of diagnosis, efficiency, and personalised care, it also presents considerable risks concerning data security, bias, and inadequate legal protection. In addition, the absence of international standards leads to implementation and compliance variations. The research shows that effective data governance frameworks, deployment of innovative security measures like blockchain and federated learning, and creation of clear ethical principles are crucial for the safe and secure adoption of AI in healthcare systems. Further research is needed to develop global standards and enhance explainability and accountability in AI systems.