The role of humans in surgery automation

Recent trends in healthcare innovation have reflected a drastic increase in the autonomy levels of surgical robots. Despite the many clear benefits of promoting constant innovation in the field of healthcare robotics, its application in the real world presents multiple gaps that can cause harm in a way that humans cannot necessarily correct or oversee. While the benefits of autonomous surgical robots are abundant, the interplay between robot manufacturers, healthcare providers, and patients poses new risks with the surgical procedure's outcome being no longer limited to the skill of the surgeon. This necessarily begs the question: who is responsible when something goes wrong?