Ethical consideration & role of AI in Unani system of medicine: An exploration

Abstract

Artificial Intelligence (AI) in healthcare refers to applying advanced computational algorithms, machine learning, and data analytics to interpret complex medical data and support clinical decision-making. Ethical considerations include data privacy, algorithm bias, and the need for responsible development and deployment to ensure patient safety and trust in these technologies. The basic principles of Unani medicine include seven principles known as Umoor e Tabiyah, which are responsible for the body's constitution and its health, and it is achieved by maintaining the balance in the polar dimension of six essential factors (Asbab e Sitta Zarooriyah). Mizaj (temperament) is a great tool to treat patients and for assessment of Mizaj ten principles (Ajnas e Ashra) are mentioned, which aid in the diagnosis and planning of personalized treatment for patients. Likewise, AI also uses subjective parameters like sleep, lifestyle, physical and mental activity, etc., for the interpretation of patient data. Both AI and the Unani system have a holistic approach, which includes the concept of subjectivity and individualism. Therefore, an effort has been made to explore the possibility of incorporating AI in the Unani system of medicine to enhance understanding of the concepts mentioned in the Unani system, like Akhlat (humours), Mizaj (temperament), Nabz (pulse) of different diseases, regulation of Asbab e Sitta Zarooriyah, etc., to bring more accuracy and precision in the diagnosis and treatment based on basic Unani principles. Further, the integration of AI will help to digitalize, commercialize, and make the system more acceptable globally.