Artificial intelligence in paediatric palliative care: opportunities, limitations, and conditions for responsible use

Abstract

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly gaining ground in health care, although its use in paediatric palliative care is still at an early stage. This narrative review summarizes the main areas in which AI may support paediatric palliative care, including the identification of palliative care needs, symptom monitoring, telemedicine, clinical documentation, education, and communication training. Research in this field remains limited, and many expectations are based on findings from adult palliative care or from studies of digital technologies that do not directly involve AI. The implementation of AI in paediatric palliative care must also take into account the specific nature of the relationship between the child, parents, and health care professionals, the child’s developmentally determined level of participation in decision-making, the diversity of diagnoses, and the particular sensitivity of clinical and family data. This review highlights key international studies as well as examples of AI use in paediatric palliative care in the Czech Republic. In the future, the greatest benefits are likely to be achieved where AI automates routine tasks and supports the work of health care professionals. The article concludes with recommendations for the responsible implementation of AI in this field. In communication, relational support, and value-sensitive decision-making, final judgment and responsibility must remain human.