Artificial Intelligence (AI) in health and care settings

Most healthcare workers lack direct experience with artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, but the uptake and use of healthcare AI technologies is accelerating.

‘Aritifical Intelligence (AI)’ or ‘AI technologies’ describes the use of digital technologies to create systems capable of performing tasks commonly thought to require human intelligence. These can include algorithms using statistical techniques that find patterns in large amounts of data, or perform repetitive cognitive tasks using data, without the need for constant human oversight.

This definition of AI is intentionally broad and could encompass algorithms not commonly considered as AI. Many of the factors that influence confidence in AI discussed in this report could apply to any data-driven technology or algorithm used in healthcare or clinical practice.

AI technologies have the potential to support existing clinical capabilities in diagnosis and screening, drug discovery, digital epidemiology, and personalised medicine,as well as optimising organisational resources, improving system efficiencies and clinical workflow pathways. 

Most healthcare workers lack direct experience with AI technologies. A 2020 survey of over 1,000 NHS staff by the Health Foundation found that three-quarters of respondents have heard, seen or read ‘not very much’ or ‘nothing at all’ about automation and AI. 

However, the uptake and use of healthcare AI technologies is accelerating. An increasing number of technologies are expected to be deployed within the next three years. This is highlighted in Health Education England’s survey of 240 AI technologies, where over 20 per cent of these technologies were estimated to be ready for large scale deployment within 2022, and an additional 40 per cent within three years.

References

¹ Joshi I, Morley J. Artificial Intelligence: How to get it right. Putting policy into practice for safe data-driven innovation in health and care. 2019:1-55. https://www.nhsx.nhs.uk/ai-lab/explore-all-resources/understand-ai/artificial-intelligence-how-get-it-right. Accessed February 28, 2022.

² Hardie T, Horton T, Willis M, Warburton W. Switched on. How Do We Get the Best out of Automation and AI in Health Care? 2021. doi:10.37829/HF-2021-I03

³ AI Roadmap report and interactive dashboard - Health Education England. https://www.hee.nhs.uk/our-work/dart-ed/ai-roadmap. Accessed February 28, 2022.