Application of Artificial Intelligence in the Healthcare Sector and Legal Challenges: A Study in Vietnam

Abstract

In Vietnam, recent discussions in official and academic forums have highlighted the positive role of artificial intelligence (AI) in the healthcare sector. Like other countries, Vietnam expects that through the fourth industrial revolution, particularly AI, its current healthcare system will undergo significant improvements. In policy and practical application, Vietnam has demonstrated that AI is indispensable in developing a healthcare system that faces numerous challenges in human resources. In light of recent global developments, it is clear that AI not only brings significant benefits, such as improving efficiency and reducing costs, but it is also predicted to pose numerous risks to society in both ethical and legal aspects. To minimize and eliminate hazards, the current legal framework can respond to the new context. To address these questions, this paper examines the current state of AI applications in Vietnam and reviews the existing legal frameworks in the country. The research results indicate that Vietnam's current legal frameworks are insufficient to ensure the rights and interests of patients against potential risks posed by AI. Finally, the paper proposes that in addition to soft laws, such as the principle of responsible AI for general subjects, hard laws are needed to achieve the goals of AI in the healthcare sector. This includes regimes on health data to ensure privacy, prevent bias and injustice, and regulations on approval processes for AI medical devices to ensure patient safety.