Ethical oversight of AI-driven paediatric trials: a proactive, risk-sensitive interim review model.

BACKGROUND

Artificial intelligence (AI)-driven paediatric trials pose novel challenges for institutional review boards (IRBs), as traditional annual continuing review frameworks are often inadequate for evolving algorithmic and data-related risks. International and national regulations provide only limited guidance on how to design proactive, risk-sensitive interim oversight mechanisms for such research.

OBJECTIVE

To develop and illustrate a risk-sensitive interim review model that strengthens participant protection and procedural fairness in AI-enabled paediatric research.

METHODS

A conceptual normative analysis was conducted, integrating four ethical principles-protection, proportionality, respect for autonomy and assent, and procedural justice-with international guidelines [International Conference on Harmonisation-Good Clinical Practice ICH-GCP, Council for International Organizations of Medical Sciences (CIOMS), and the Declaration of Helsinki] and Taiwanese regulations. From this synthesis, a five-component proactive interim review model was developed. To illustrate the model's practical application and feasibility, a Taiwanese IRB-mandated interim review of an AI-assisted pediatric speech-therapy trial (n = 100, aged 3-7 years) is presented as a worked example rather than empirical data collection.

RESULTS

The model comprises five interlocking components: (1) scheduled, risk-based interim reviews and audits; (2) structured deviation-triggered response procedures; (3) mechanisms for re-consent and ongoing communication; (4) continuous ethics and protocol training; and (5) transparent, auditable documentation and IRB-investigator communication. Application of the proposed model to the Taiwanese worked example illustrates how a structured, risk-sensitive interim review process can support the identification of informed-consent and eligibility-screening deviations, facilitate targeted corrective training, and promote routine documentation monitoring.

CONCLUSIONS

A proactive, risk-sensitive interim review model can support IRBs in shifting from reactive annual oversight to continuous, adaptive governance aligned with AI-specific risk profiles. The model offers a transferable, principle-based template for strengthening ethical oversight of AI-driven pediatric trials across diverse regulatory and cultural settings.