Cristina Richie

Delft University of Technology, University of Edinburgh

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Total Citations

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About

Cristina Richie is a leading voice at the intersection of bioethics, environmental sustainability, and emerging technology. Her research critically examines the ecological footprint of digital health, focusing on how artificial intelligence (AI) in medicine can be developed and deployed without exacerbating climate change or resource depletion. Richie’s major contribution is her pioneering framework for “environmentally sustainable development and use of AI in health care,” which argues that while AI can expand access to underserved populations, it also poses risks of patient harm through biased algorithms and fatal robotic errors. Her most cited work (82 citations) has become foundational for scholars and policymakers seeking to balance innovation with planetary health. In her 2025 follow-up, she provides concrete recommendations for reducing AI’s carbon footprint, from hardware lifecycles to energy-efficient algorithms. Richie’s impact extends beyond academia; she is a sought-after advisor on green health tech and a vocal advocate for integrating ecological ethics into medical AI design. Her scholarship challenges the field to consider not just what AI can do, but at what environmental cost—making her a critical thinker for students and researchers navigating the future of sustainable healthcare.