New Book on AI Ethics by Anita Ho

Anita Ho, PhD, MPH, Clinical Associate Professor, has recently published a book, “Live Like Nobody is Watching: Relational Autonomy in the Age of Artificial Intelligence Health Monitoring,” which has been released by Oxford University Press. This thought-provoking book dives deep into the complex socio-relational factors that surround the promotion of AI health monitoring and its potential effects on people’s autonomy. Dr. Ho makes a compelling argument that a relational approach to autonomy should guide the evaluation, design, and implementation of AI health monitoring. This approach considers not only people’s agency but also broader issues of power asymmetry and social justice in the evolving technological environment. 

The book covers a wide range of topics, exploring how cultural norms surrounding personal responsibility, healthy living, aging, trust, and caregiving are shaped by interpersonal and socio-systemic conditions. These conditions, in turn, influence expectations regarding the extent to which we can or should use AI technologies to continuously monitor and predict people’s health status and health-related behaviours. Through a comprehensive examination of home health monitoring for older and disabled adults, direct-to-consumer health monitoring devices, and medication adherence monitoring, the book proposes ethical strategies at both the professional and systemic levels to preserve and promote people’s relational autonomy. 

With its innovative insights, case analyses, and ethical recommendations, “Live Like Nobody” is Watching is sure to be a valuable addition to the fields of public health, medicine, ethics, and technology, and a must-read for anyone interested in the intersection of health, technology, and autonomy. 

To celebrate the release of this groundbreaking book, UBC SPPH will host a book launch event in September, so stay tuned!

>>Find the book here<<