Who bears the primary legal responsibility when an AI system causes an error in a dental practice?

In the context of an AI system being used in a dental practice, the clinician who uses the AI system typically bears the primary legal responsibility when an error occurs. This is rooted in the principle of professional liability, where healthcare professionals are expected to adhere to a standard of care. When a clinician decides to incorporate AI technology into their practice, they are still held accountable for the decisions and actions taken during patient care.

The expectation is that the clinician will critically evaluate the AI's recommendations and ensure that they align with established medical standards and their clinical judgment. If an error results from reliance on the AI system, it is the clinician's responsibility to address how they integrated that technology into their practice and whether they acted in accordance with their professional duty to their patients. This accountability emphasizes the importance of continuing education and understanding of the tools at their disposal, including advanced AI technologies.

While other parties like the AI developer or the practice management may potentially share some level of legal responsibility under certain circumstances, ultimately, the clinician has a direct and immediate duty to their patients, placing primary responsibility on them when errors occur.