167 Attitudes toward bioethical issues in the applications of big data and artificial intelligence in clinical and translational research in underrepresented populations: A qualitative assessment

Abstract

Objectives/Goals: We designed a forum to educate participants about bioethical issues in the application of big data (BD) and artificial intelligence (AI) in clinical and translational research (CTR) in underrepresented populations. We sought to determine changes in participants’ interests in ethics, bias, and trustworthiness of AI and BD. Methods/Study Population: 141 individuals registered for the forum, which was advertised to our partner institutions, minority-serving institutions, and community organizations. Registrants received email instructions to complete an AI Trustworthiness (AI-Trust) survey, a questionnaire with integrated qualitative and quantitative measures designed to better understand learners who engaged with the institution-specific AI/Data Science curriculum. Respondents completed the survey using personal devices via a link and QR code, with anonymized responses and enhanced privacy features. 82 people attended; 22 responded to the survey pre-forum and 22 post-forum. Pre- and post-forum responses were qualitatively compared to assess shifts in attitudes toward AI and BD and related interests in ethics, bias, and trustworthiness. Results/Anticipated Results: We found increased interests post- vs. pre-forum in the use of AI for CTR, AI bias and its effects on underrepresented populations, and ethical risk assessment and mitigation strategies for the use of BD to empower research participants. In contrast, trust in AI was lower post- vs. pre-forum. Moreover, respondents also indicated that the current application of AI in healthcare practice would result in increased racial, economic, and gender bias. In comparison, interest in ethical challenges, bioethical considerations, and trustworthiness regarding use of BD and AI in health research and practice did not differ pre- vs. post-forum. Discussion/Significance of Impact: Interest in the application of BD/AI in CTR increased post-forum, but AI distrust and bias expectations also increased, suggesting that learners become more skeptical and discerning as they become more knowledgeable about the complexity of the ethics of AI and BD use in healthcare, especially its application to underrepresented populations.