ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN INTENSIVE CARE: CLINICAL, ETHICAL, AND LIMITATIONS OF AUTOMATION IN CRITICAL CARE

Abstract

The objective was to critically analyze the integration of artificial intelligence and digital technologies into intensive care, examining their impacts on clinical practice, work organization, professional autonomy, patient safety, and the ethical and regulatory challenges associated with critical care. This is a narrative review article with an analytical and critical approach, based on national and international scientific literature regarding artificial intelligence in healthcare, predictive models in intensive care units, technology governance, and bioethical implications. The analysis shows that artificial intelligence enhances the capacity for continuous monitoring, risk stratification, and clinical decision support, contributing to greater precision and the early anticipation of interventions in highly complex settings. However, its incorporation reshapes interprofessional dynamics, complicates the autonomy of healthcare professionals, and introduces new risks related to algorithmic biases, decision-making opacity, and uncertainty regarding accountability for adverse outcomes. It is observed that the effectiveness and legitimacy of artificial intelligence use depend on robust institutional governance, qualified human supervision, system transparency, and continuous professional training guided by critical thinking. It is concluded that artificial intelligence constitutes a strategic tool for improving the quality of intensive care, but it does not replace clinical judgment or the ethical centrality of the patient, requiring a balanced integration of technological innovation, patient safety, adequate regulation, and respect for human dignity.