Artificial Intelligence and Humanoid Robotics: Bioethical Implications of Replacing Human Agency in Healthcare and beyond

The integration of advanced artificial intelligence (AI) and humanoid robotics into healthcare represents a critical evolution in biotechnology with profound societal implications. This review explores the bioethical implications of these technologies, and their potential to displace human agency in life-critical decisions. It adopts an interdisciplinary approach encompassing ethics, law, and technology. The review examines how innovations in AI and robotics might shift autonomy from humans to machines, and addresses the accountability challenges inherent in such transitions. We synthesize discussions on the ethical management of AI and robotics, underscoring the importance of maintaining human oversight and integrating ethical standards in technology development to prevent worsening of social inequalities. While AI and robotics present challenges to traditional concepts of autonomy, ethical responsibility, and justice, careful and inclusive policymaking and ethical oversight can harness these technologies to enhance human well-being. This analysis highlights the necessity for continued cross-disciplinary research to navigate the complex ethical landscapes these technologies create, emphasizing that the proactive engagement of diverse stakeholders is essential to guide AI and robotics towards improving human health.