Where should AI sit in relationship-centered care, and what safeguards does that role require?

Determine where artificial intelligence should be positioned within relationship-centered patient–provider care and identify the safeguards that the chosen role requires.

Background

The paper proposes positioning AI as a mediator—"in the middle, not on top"—to support relationship-centered care by facilitating clarification, preparation, and continuity without displacing human clinical judgment. This stance is explored through CLEAR, an AI-mediated asynchronous messaging system designed to address time pressure, uneven health literacy, and care discontinuity.

Despite presenting empirical observations supporting this positioning, the authors explicitly frame open questions about the appropriate placement of AI within relationship-centered care and the safeguards necessary to maintain trust, accountability, and privacy in such mediated interactions.

References

We offer this positioning not as a universal solution, but as a design stance and set of open questions for workshop discussion on where AI should sit in relationship-centered care and what safeguards that role requires.

— In the Middle, Not on Top: AI-Mediated Communication for Patient-Provider Care Relationships  (2604.00643 - Gong et al., 1 Apr 2026) in Section 5. Conclusion (final sentence)

Whether the same pattern extends to remote monitoring, algorithm-supported treatment, and other forms of technology-enabled chronic care remains an open empirical question.

— Complements or Substitutes? Technology Adoption and the Demand for Clinical Care: Evidence from Automated Insulin Delivery  (2609.12976 - Rashidi et al., 11 Sep 2026) in Conclusion, final paragraph

But whether such moments should be delegated to the relatives remains open. Although MeBo's family features distinguish it, nuances of family participation remain unresolved.

— "MeBo Leaves a Piece of You Behind": Designing a Relational Voice-Based Memory Companion for Older Adults  (2609.24706 - Rahman et al., 21 Sep 2026) in Section “Discussion,” subsection “Operationalizing Relational Memory Companionship”