Transparency in the Black Box

Sammanfattning

The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into drug development introduces significant opportunities and ethical challenges, particularly with the use of complex "Black Box" AI systems. This study investigates how the drug development industry addresses ethical concerns associated with AI, focusing on compliance with European Union (EU) regulations, including the Assessment List for Trustworthy Artificial Intelligence (ALTAI) and the Artificial Intelligence Act (AI Act). Through a literature review and qualitative interviews with industry professionals, this research explores how the industry manages the trade-off between harnessing AI's capabilities and meeting ethical standards for transparency. The findings highlight a strong industry emphasis on the importance of explainability in AI systems, which is crucial for building trust and adhering to regulatory frameworks. The thesis also examines the broader implications of these ethical issues for the future use of AI in drug development, proposing a framework that promotes both innovation and ethical compliance. The gathered perspectives largely reflect a proactive approach by the industry to meet EU standards, underscoring a commitment to ethical AI deployment. This research enhances the understanding of the relationship between technological progress and ethical guidelines in drug development, emphasizing the importance of transparency and explainability in meeting industry and regulatory expectations.