Ethical Impact of Artificial Intelligence in Neurorehabilitation

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the landscape of neurorehabilitation, offering new avenues for personalized, responsive, and scalable care through advances in predictive analytics, digital biomarkers, robotic systems, adaptive therapies, brain–computer interfaces, and digital monitoring tools. While early studies showcase AI’s potential to enhance rehabilitation outcomes and support clinicians in decision-making, ethical challenges are emerging as these technologies move from theoretical promise to widespread clinical implementation. In neurorehabilitation, where patients may have cognitive, communicative, or motor impairments and where long-term, multidisciplinary care is the norm, concerns arise over patient autonomy, privacy, fairness, and the preservation of dignity and quality of life. Despite significant technological trials and theoretical commentary, there remains a pressing need for robust, actionable frameworks that address ethical risks and practical questions faced in real-world neurorehabilitation settings. The field stands at a critical crossroads: ensuring that innovation in AI is aligned with the highest standards of safety, inclusivity, and ethical integrity.This Research Topic aims to create an authoritative and interdisciplinary hub for exploring the ethical implications of integrating AI into neurorehabilitation. Our objective is to move beyond general discussions and foster submissions that present evidence-based insights, novel conceptual perspectives, ethical analysis of new applications, and practical guidance for developers, clinicians, and policymakers. Special emphasis is placed on translating neuroethical theory into frameworks that support safe and equitable clinical adoption, while also anticipating future challenges as AI systems become increasingly autonomous and complex. Core questions include: How can we safeguard vulnerable populations against bias and marginalization in AI-driven tools? What are the most effective strategies for ensuring transparent, accountable, and patient-centered AI deployment in rehabilitation processes?To gather further insights into the multifaceted ethical impact of AI in neurorehabilitation, we welcome articles that address, but are not limited to, the following themes:- Fairness, bias, and health equity across diverse patient populations- Patient autonomy, informed consent, and capacity assessment in the context of AI-supported rehabilitation- Privacy, data governance, and cybersecurity for digital health and remote monitoring technologies- Clinical safety, validation standards, accountability, and risk management for AI-assisted decision-making- Explainability, transparency, and effective communication of AI systems’ limitations to clinicians and patients- Human factors, including clinician oversight, automation bias, and integration into multidisciplinary workflows- Regulatory, legal, and implementation challenges in scaling AI for neurorehabilitation practice- Ethical frameworks for emerging technologies, including robotics, BCIs, and adaptive digital therapeutics Topic editors: Giorgio Sandrini, Heinrich Binder, Sabahat Wasti, Federico Zilio, Andrea Lavazza, Thomas Platz Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/81950/ethical-impact-of-artificial-intelligence-in-neurorehabilitation