Navigating the ethical landscape of artificial intelligence in radiography: a cross-sectional study of radiographers' perspectives.

BACKGROUND: The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in radiography presents transformative opportunities for diagnostic imaging and introduces complex ethical considerations. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to explore radiographers' perspectives on the ethical implications of AI in their field and identify key concerns and potential strategies for addressing them. METHODS: A structured questionnaire was distributed to a diverse group of radiographers in Saudi Arabia. The questionnaire included items on ethical concerns related to AI, the perceived impact on clinical practice, and suggestions for ethical AI integration in radiography. The data were analyzed using quantitative and qualitative methods to capture a broad range of perspectives. RESULTS: Three hundred eighty-eight radiographers responded and had varying levels of experience and specializations. Most (44.8%) participants were unfamiliar with the integration of AI into radiography. Approximately 32.9% of radiographers expressed uncertainty regarding the importance of transparency and explanatory capabilities in the AI systems used in radiology. Many (36.9%) participants indicated that they believed that AI systems used in radiology should be transparent and provide justifications for their decision-making procedures. A significant preponderance (44%) of respondents agreed that implementing AI in radiology may increase ethical dilemmas. However, 27.8%expressed uncertainty in recognizing and understanding the potential ethical issues that could arise from integrating AI in radiology. Of the respondents, 41.5% stated that the use of AI in radiology required establishing specific ethical guidelines. However, a significant percentage (28.9%) expressed the opposite opinion, arguing that utilizing AI in radiology does not require adherence to ethical standards. In contrast to the 46.6% of respondents voicing concerns about patient privacy over AI implementation, 41.5% of respondents did not have any such apprehensions. CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed a complex ethical landscape in the integration of AI in radiography, characterized by enthusiasm and apprehension among professionals. It underscores the necessity for ethical frameworks, education, and policy development to guide the implementation of AI in radiography. These findings contribute to the ongoing discourse on AI in medical imaging and provide insights that can inform policymakers, educators, and practitioners in navigating the ethical challenges of AI adoption in healthcare.

Perspectives of radiographers on the emergence of artificial intelligence in diagnostic imaging in Saudi Arabia.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to gain insight into radiographers' views on the application of artificial intelligence (AI) in Saudi Arabia by conducting a qualitative investigation designed to provide recommendations to assist radiographic workforce improvement. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted an online cross-sectional online survey of Saudi radiographers regarding perspectives on AI implementation, job security, workforce development, and ethics. RESULTS: In total, 562 valid responses were received. Most respondents (90.6%) believed that AI was the direction of diagnostic imaging. Among the respondents, 88.5% stated that AI would improve the accuracy of diagnosis. Some challenges in implementing AI in Saudi Arabia include the high cost of equipment, inadequate knowledge, radiologists' fear of losing employment, and concerns related to potential medical errors and cyber threats. CONCLUSION: Radiographers were generally positive about introducing AI to radiology departments. To integrate AI successfully into radiology departments, radiographers need training programs, transparent policies, and motivation.

Musical Ear Syndrome in a Patient with Unilateral Hearing Loss: A Case Report.

BACKGROUND Hearing music that has no source is known as musical ear syndrome, also known as musical hallucinations (MH), and is often associated with hearing impairment. This report is of a 62-year-old man with a 20-year history of unilateral hearing loss and continuous MH. We investigated the neural basis of MH in a subject without any known neurological or psychiatric disorders. CASE REPORT A 62-year-old man had a history of 20 years of symptomatic mild hearing loss accompanied with continuous MH in the form of multiple tones. The MH were unilateral in the left side and much more likely to be experienced as externally located and uncontrollable. He underwent structural and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Results indicated increased activity and reduced cortical thickness in multiple cortical areas, such as the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and temporal and limbic regions, indicating complex processing and involvement. CONCLUSIONS The neurological findings indicate differentiated or multiple-area involvement in MH. These morpho-functional changes may represent a neural reorganization causing MH to arise. The altered or activated regions are all related to the processing of emotions and the processing of episodic memory, which has been seen in the MH of schizophrenic patients. This report also highlights that patients with hearing loss may present with continuous MH, and that these patients should not be assumed to have delusions or psychosis, but should be investigated for underlying auditory abnormalities and treated appropriately.

Altered brain responses to emotional auditory stimuli in AVH subjects: an fMRI study.

Purpose: Auditory verbal hallucinations (AVH) are a frequently occurring phenomenon in which subjects hear verbal sounds in the absence of any external stimuli. The prevalence of auditory hallucinations in schizophrenia has been revealed in many studies. Healthy subjects may also experience auditory hallucinations without accompanying psychological or neurological disorders, and in rare cases they seek clinical assistance for this emotionally disturbing condition. The aim of this study was to investigate the neural basis of emotional disturbance in auditory hallucinating subjects who do not suffer from any psychological or neurological disorder.Materials and Methods: Fourteen subjects suffering from auditory hallucinations and 15 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were recruited in this study. All participants underwent fMRI in two experimental sessions. In the first experimental session, all participants from both groups listened to pleasant auditory stimuli. In the second session, both groups listened to unpleasant auditory stimuli. The auditory stimuli were obtained from the International Affective Digitized Sounds (IADS).Results: Compared with the healthy control group, AVH subjects exhibited significantly increased activation in limbic, auditory, and frontal regions.Conclusion: Current results suggest that AVH may induce functional reorganization in emotion-related brain regions.