Digital Health and Artificial Intelligence: A Jurisprudential Inquiry into Patient Rights, Data Protection, and Forensic Implications

Artificial Intelligence (AI), a defining feature of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, is transforming digital health and medical practice by enabling advanced data analysis, improving diagnostic accuracy, and optimizing treatment pathways. The integration of AI-driven technologies in healthcare enhances efficiency, supports personalized medicine, and aids in addressing complex challenges such as antibiotic resistance. However, these advancements also raise critical legal and ethical concerns within the domain of medical jurisprudence. The doctor–patient relationship, traditionally grounded in trust and empathy, is increasingly mediated by algorithmic systems that cannot fully replicate human judgment. Issues of patient rights, informed consent, and transparency regarding AI-assisted decision-making remain central to safeguarding autonomy. Additionally, concerns relating to data protection and privacy highlight the risks associated with the storage and dissemination of sensitive medical information. The paper further examines the growing role of digital health data as forensic evidence in criminal justice, raising questions regarding admissibility, reliability, and evidentiary standards. Moreover, the expansion of telemedicine and digital healthcare systems introduces new regulatory and ethical challenges, particularly in ensuring accountability and maintaining standards of care. This paper adopts a comparative, and socio-legal methodology, supported by analytical and evaluative approaches, to examine statutory frameworks, judicial precedents, and international practices governing AI and digital health technologies. It critically assesses existing legal mechanisms and identifies gaps in regulation and enforcement. The paper concludes that while AI holds immense potential to revolutionize healthcare delivery, its responsible integration requires robust legal safeguards, ethical accountability, and strict adherence to patient rights. A balanced approach that harmonizes technological innovation with established jurisprudential principles is essential to ensuring both clinical excellence and public trust in the evolving digital healthcare landscape.