Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems are driving progress in healthcare, from diagnostics to rehabilitation, and transforming patient-doctor relationships. Here ethical and human rights implications must also be considered. 

The Council of Europe, in close cooperation with the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia organised a two-day discussion on those issues on 24-25 February 2025. The event aimed to identify areas where the Armenian legal framework needs to be amended, examine potential human rights challenges arising from the use of AI, and present the European standards outlined in the new report on the Application of AI in healthcare and its impact on the ′patient-doctor′ relationship issued by the Council of Europe’s Steering Committee for Human Rights in the fields of Biomedicine and Health (CDBIO).

The discussion was opened by Laurence Lwoff, Head of Human Rights and Biomedicine Division of the Council of Europe, who presented the work of the Council of Europe in the field. Arsen Torosyan, Chair of the Standing Committee on Health Affairs, and Rustam Bakoyan, Acting Chair of the Standing Committee on Human Rights and Public Affairs, highlighted the significance of the discussion, given the growing interest and importance of AI, including in healthcare. 

The discussion covered a range of topics, including patient autonomy, professional standards for healthcare professionals, self-determination regarding health data, and equitable access to health care.

The discussion strengthened the knowledge and skills of members of the Standing Committees of the National Assembly on national and European human rights standards related to the application of AI in healthcare, while also fostering policy dialogue on this topic. 

The event was organised by the Council of Europe as part of its Project “Protection of Human Rights in Biomedicine III” implemented within the Council of Europe Action Plan for Armenia 2023-2026.