Ethical Leadership in Nursing and Patient-Centered Care: A Philosophical Reflection on the Humanistic Crisis in an AI-Driven Healthcare Era

Background The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into healthcare has fundamentally transformed nursing practice. While increasing efficiency and accuracy, these changes also pose ethical challenges and a humanistic crisis. Objective This literature review aims to examine the challenges and opportunities for implementing ethical leadership to maintain humanistic care in the AI era, analyze philosophical reflections on the moral crisis arising from digitalization, and formulate a conceptual framework that responsibly integrates ethics, humanism, and technology. Methods The review was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines, using a literature search across Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, and EBSCO with relevant keywords. A total of eight articles published between 2020 and 2025 met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed narratively. Results Moral sensitivity, ethical competence, and a favorable ethical climate improve ethical behavior and quality of care. Transformational and humanistic leadership enhance moral reflection and organizational justice, while a hostile ethical climate increases moral distress. The philosophical perspectives of deontology, virtue ethics, and social justice provide a reflective foundation for maintaining moral autonomy in the AI ​​era. Conclusion Ethical leadership bridges technology and humanity, ensuring digital innovation upholds human dignity through moral foundations, reflective leadership, and responsible AI integration.