Review underscores need for nursing AI ethical frameworks

For healthcare leaders to integrate artificial intelligence successfully, AI must function as a supportive technology instead of as a replacement for nursing judgment and the imperative human-to-human connection, concludes a scoping review. Published in Nursing Outlook, the 50-study review synthesized the literature to explore the perspectives of nurses and nursing students concerning the ethical design, implementation and use of AI technologies in clinical practice. Among the findings, nurses and nursing students feared an overreliance on AI could diminish nurses’ clinical judgement and critical thinking abilities. They also feared AI might eliminate the human touch from care and exacerbate disparities. The authors, who include AONL member Connie Delaney, PhD, RN, call for urgent development of dedicated nursing-AI ethical frameworks, shared accountability models and comprehensive educational initiatives. (Nursing Outlook article, 10/7/26)