A group of public health experts and doctors warned of the dangers of developing artificial intelligence technologies, describing them as an "existential" threat to humanity if not regulated.

Artificial intelligence has the potential to revolutionize healthcare by improving disease diagnosis, finding better ways to treat patients, and providing care to more people.

However, artificial intelligence technologies also have the potential to cause negative health effects, according to health experts from the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, Costa Rica, and Malaysia, as reported in a study published in BMJ Global Health.

What are the AI risks pointed out by the experts?

The risks associated with medicine and the healthcare sector include the possibility of AI errors causing harm to patients, as well as issues related to data privacy and security.

One example of harm mentioned is the use of AI-driven pulse oximeters which overstated blood oxygen levels in patients with dark skin, leading to mistreatment of their hypoxemia.

AI can harm the health of millions through social determinants of health by controlling and manipulating people, using lethal autonomous weapons, and the mental health effects of mass unemployment if AI-based systems lay off large numbers of workers.

Threats also arise from job losses that will accompany the widespread adoption of AI technology, with estimates ranging from tens to hundreds of millions over the next decade.

The group of experts said: "We do not know how society will respond psychologically and emotionally to a world where work is unavailable and the impact of that on the physical health of community members."

The study stated that "with the massive growth in AI research and development, the window of opportunity to avoid severe and possibly existential damages is narrowing."

They warned that "effective regulation of AI development and use is essential to avoid harm."

They stressed that "until such regulation is implemented, a ban on the development of self-improving general artificial intelligence must be imposed," according to the British newspaper The Guardian.