PHILADELPHIA (March 10, 2026) – As artificial intelligence (AI) rapidly integrates into clinical settings—from predicting patient outcomes to deploying humanoid "robotic nurses"—an article published in the Hastings Center Report warns that the core of nursing, its moral agency, must remain a human-driven responsibility.
The article, What Does Moral Agency Mean for Nurses in the Era of Artificial Intelligence? , explores the growing tension between advanced algorithmic capabilities and the ethical obligations of the world’s most trusted profession.
While AI systems can now simulate empathy and generate context-aware responses, Penn Nursing’s Connie M. Ulrich, PhD, RN, FAAN , the Lillian S. Brunner Chair in Medical and Surgical Nursing, Professor of Nursing, and Professor of Medical Ethics and Health Policy, and her co-authors argue that AI lacks sentience, intentionality, and accountability. The authors define a moral agent as a person capable of discerning right from wrong and being held accountable for their actions.
Key findings from the article include:
Recommendations for Health Systems
The article emphasizes that nurses must not be passive users of technology but active leaders in its design and implementation. To preserve the public’s trust, the authors offer several critical recommendations:
"Patients come to health care settings to be heard, seen, and valued by skilled professionals, not to seek care from machines," the authors state. "While AI may simulate compassion... it cannot 'care' in the moral sense."
Co-authors from Penn Nursing include George Demiris, PhD; Patricia Brennan, PhD; Oonjee Oh, MSN; and Sang Bin You, MSN.
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About the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing
The University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing (Penn Nursing) is a global leader in nursing education, research, and practice, and the top National Institutes of Health (NIH)–funded nursing research institution in the United States. Ranked the #1 nursing school in the country by QS University for the past decade, Penn Nursing consistently earns top national rankings from U.S. News & World Report for its BSN and graduate programs. By integrating innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and evidence-based practice, Penn Nursing prepares nurse scientists, clinicians, and leaders to meet the complex health needs of a global society. Follow Penn Nursing: Facebook | LinkedIn | YouTube | Instagram .
The Hastings Center Report
1-Feb-2026