38: Keeping up with AI in health care: what we need to do next

AI technologies are advancing rapidly. Yet when it comes to AI in health care we're still in the early stages. The prize could be big – the question is what will it take to realise the benefits?

The applications of AI in health care will be far-reaching and profound, from high-quality personalised treatment advice made instantly available to automated systems that can cut bureaucracy, free up staff time and reduce costs. 

All this is exciting and could help with some of the big challenges ahead. But what of the risks? The current emphasis among policymakers is on AI safety – but a range of other considerations will need attention like serving the public interest, inclusion, cost, accountability, autonomy, privacy and more. And how can the NHS and social care rapidly get up to speed with all these developments? 

Join our Chief Executive Jennifer Dixon on location with expert guests including: Effy Vayena (Professor of Bioethics at the Swiss Institute of Technology); Alastair Denniston (Consultant Ophthalmologist and Honorary Professor at the University of Birmingham); Ashish Jha (Dean of Public Health at Brown University) and David Cutler (Professor of Applied Economics at Harvard University).

Show notes

The Health Foundation (2023). What do technology and AI mean for the future of work in health care?

House of Commons Science, Innovation and Technology Select Committee (2023). The governance of artificial intelligence: interim report. 

UK government (2023). UK's AI Safety Summit 2023.

Institute for Government (2023). How is the UK government approaching regulation of AI?

Financial Times (2023). How will AI be regulated?

Air Street Capital (2023). State of AI report.

OECD. OECD Artificial Intelligence Papers.

The White House (2023). Fact Sheet: President Biden Issues Executive Order on Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Artificial Intelligence.