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Diffusion of responsibility: Patient moral judgments of generative AI-informed clinical decisions

Author

Listed:
  • Zhang, Wei
  • Li, Jicheng
  • Guo, Fuxiang
  • Zhu, Chengyan
  • Kludacz-Alessandri, Magdalena
  • Evans, Richard

Abstract

As Generative Artificial Intelligence (GAI) becomes increasingly embedded into complex medical decision-making, it is anticipated that patients' psychological and behavioral responses will diverge significantly from those observed in traditional healthcare settings. This study, therefore, aims to investigate a key challenge for AI governance: how does GAI involvement in therapeutic decisions influence patients’ moral judgment of the physician when adverse outcomes occur?

Suggested Citation

  • Zhang, Wei & Li, Jicheng & Guo, Fuxiang & Zhu, Chengyan & Kludacz-Alessandri, Magdalena & Evans, Richard, 2026. "Diffusion of responsibility: Patient moral judgments of generative AI-informed clinical decisions," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 392(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:392:y:2026:i:c:s0277953626000031
    DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2026.118928
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    References listed on IDEAS

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