Category: Digital Health Law
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Europe is weakening safeguards for medical AI, just as hospitals start to rely on it
Artificial intelligence (AI) is already being used to read scans, support diagnoses, and guide treatment decisions. Yet just as these systems are entering everyday clinical practice, Europe may weaken the rules meant to keep them safe. In March 2026, the European Parliament adopted its position on a “digital omnibus” reform…
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Advertising to the distressed: The commodification of mental health data in AI chatbots
Generative Artificial Intelligence (genAI) chatbots have become an important outlet for many people around the world who are experiencing mental health issues. Of its 800 million weekly users, around 10 percent use ChatGPT for emotional support while more than one million use the chatbot to talk about issues such as depression, psychosis and…
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Medical AI at Risk: Digital Omnibus Amendments Undermine Safeguards in Healthcare
Members of the European Parliament are about to take a decision that will fundamentally shape how artificial intelligence (AI) is governed in European healthcare. The Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) and Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) compromise amendments propose deleting Annex I, Section A of the AI…
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Emerging Shadow Health Systems: Regulating Health-Focused Generative AI Chatbots from a European perspective
ChatGPT Health and other health-focused generative AI chatbots increasingly function as alternative first points of contact that may mediate – and in some cases substitute – engagement with regulated healthcare systems. At scale, these systems can shape care-seeking behavior, system capacity, trust in clinical expertise, and health equity. We describe this development…
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Accounting for EU external effects: from clinical trials to data colonialism to AI ethics dumping
Against a backdrop of rapidly expanding health artificial intelligence (AI) development, this paper examines how the European Union’s (EU) stringent digital regulations may incentivise the outsourcing of personal health data collection to low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), fuelling a new form of AI ethics dumping. Drawing on parallels with the…
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Artificial Intelligence in Radiology: Safeguarding Patients’ Rights in the Digital Era
Please cite as: Hannah van Kolfschooten, ‘Artificial Intelligence in Radiology: Safeguarding Patients’ Rights in the Digital Era’, European Radiology 2026. Artificial intelligence (AI) is now firmly embedded in radiology practice. From automated abnormality detection on chest radiographs to workflow optimisation in triage, AI is increasingly shaping diagnostic processes. Its promise…
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Legal, ethical, and policy challenges of artificial intelligence translation tools in healthcare
Artificial intelligence (AI) translation tools, such as Google Translate and ChatGPT, are increasingly used in healthcare for medical communication to overcome language barriers between patients and providers. While these tools offer accessible and efficient translation, their use raises significant legal, ethical, and policy concerns. Key patients’ rights, including the rights…
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AI Medical Devices after the Health Package: Innovation or lack of safeguards for patients?
As someone who has followed the AI Act closely from the very beginning, particularly in the context of healthcare, the European Commission’s new health package immediately raised some questions. Concretely, the Commission proposes to move the Medical Devices Regulation (MDR) and In Vitro Diagnostic Medical Devices Regulation (IVDR) from Section…
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Artificial intelligence, intellectual property, and human rights: mapping the legal landscape in European health systems
Intellectual property (IP) rights and IP-related rights, such as trade secrets and regulatory exclusivities, play a crucial role in the development and deployment of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. However, possible interactions may be anticipated when comparing the legal relationships formed by these rights with those established by human rights. This…
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AI Chatbots for Promoting Healthy Habits: Legal, Ethical, and Societal Considerations
Machine learning-based artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots are increasingly used to promote health and encourage individuals to adopt healthier behaviors. Chatbots driven by generative AI (genAI) simulate human interactions through text or voice to generate personalized content with guidance on topics such as smoking cessation, nutrition, managing stress, and sleep improvement.…
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Invisible prescribers: the risks of Google’s AI summaries
With digital technologies, your patients have a ‘doctor in their pocket’. But something new is happening when they search online for medical advice. Typing a question such as “Can I take ibuprofen with blood pressure tablets?” or “What helps against chest pain?” into Google no longer produces the familiar list…
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WHO/Europe launches Technical Advisory Group on Artificial Intelligence for Health
WHO/Europe has formed the Technical Advisory Group on Artificial Intelligence for Health (TAG-AI) to guide the ethical, responsible and equitable use of AI in health across the WHO European Region. The group will serve as an advisory body to the WHO Regional Director for Europe for an initial period of…
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Addictive Algorithms and the Digital Fairness Act: A New Chapter in EU Public Health Policy?
Picture a typical teenager waking up. Before even getting out of bed, they’ve already scrolled through TikTok, checked Instagram, and responded to Snapchat notifications. Each swipe delivers content fine-tuned by algorithms designed to maximize attention and engagement. Autoplay keeps the feed going. Notifications prompt more interaction. Autoplay keeps content flowing.…
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Period Tracking Apps and Consumer Protections
Last week, reports emerged in the UK of concerned public health experts calling for public alternatives to commercial period tracking apps. Their research shows that women’s personal data is at great risk. More and more people who menstruate make use of period tracking apps, also referred to as ‘cycle tracking apps’ (CTAs).…
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Global Health in the Age of AI: Charting a Course for Ethical Implementation and Societal Benefit
Artificial Intelligence (AI) presents unprecedented opportunities to transform healthcare worldwide, from improving diagnostic accuracy to expanding access in underserved regions. Despite this potential and growing investment, a significant gap persists between AI’s theoretical promise and its realised benefits in healthcare settings. This article examines the complex barriers impeding AI benefits…
Hannah van Kolfschooten 