Ethical Dilemmas in Artificial Intelligence: New Research Uncovers Concerns in Robot Nurse Applications

Strategic Insights -

Socially assistive robots are being increasingly used in healthcare settings to monitor, coach, and provide companionship to patients, but the widespread adoption of artificial intelligence and robot nurse applications raises significant ethical concerns. A recent study from Karamanoglu Mehmetbey University in Turkey aimed to develop a scale to measure ethical sensitivity towards artificial intelligence and robot nurses. The researchers conducted a literature review, interviews, and a survey of 356 nursing students to validate the scale.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study developed a 17-item scale with four sub-dimensions to measure ethical sensitivity towards artificial intelligence and robot nurses, accounting for 55.84% of the total variance.
  • The scale's Cronbach's alpha value was 0.83, indicating significant reliability, and the Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin value was 0.76, indicating adequacy in factor analysis.
  • The study's Confirmatory Factor Analysis revealed fit indices, including Comparative Fit Index, Incremental Fit Index, and Goodness of Fit Index, indicating the scale's validity and reliability.
  • The study recommended that the Ethical Sensitivity Scale for Artificial Intelligence and Robot Nurses be used in different sample groups, cultures, and societies to further validate its effectiveness.
  • Researchers Gamze Goke Arslan, Eda Ergin, and Sebnem Cinar Yucel were involved in the study.
  • The study has been peer-reviewed and published in the Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice.

Statistics:

  • 356 nursing students participated in the survey.
  • The scale consists of 17 items and four sub-dimensions.
  • The Cronbach's alpha value was 0.83.
  • The Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin value was 0.76.
  • The Confirmatory Factor Analysis revealed the following fit indices: Comparative Fit Index (.894), Incremental Fit Index (.897), Goodness of Fit Index (.880), and Root Mean Square Error of Approximation (.074).
  • The study's sample size and survey period were November 2022 and December 2022.

Sources:

  • "A Scale Development Study: Ethical Sensitivity Towards Artificial Intelligence and Robot Nurses." Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice, 2025; 31(5).
  • NewsRx. "Karamanoglu Mehmetbey University Reports Findings in Artificial Intelligence (A Scale Development Study: Ethical Sensitivity Towards Artificial Intelligence and Robot Nurses)." Journal of Engineering. July 21, 2025; p 1322.