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Regulator published draft guidelines and calls for public feedback on ways to incorporate new technology into health services
It is important the human oversight is maintained when it comes to the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in health services, the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has said.
Publishing a draft national guidance document for the responsible and safe use of AI in health and social care, the regulator said that any new technology used in this space must be deemed safe and trustworthy before use.
“AI tools used in health and social care services must be part of a process that has appropriate human oversight built into it,” the guidelines state.
HIQA’s director of health information and standards Rachel Flynn
“Depending on the intended purpose and use of an AI tool, this may include a human directly overseeing decisions (‘human in the loop’) in real time or allowing the system to operate autonomously with the ability to be overridden by a human as needed (‘human on the loop’).”
AI tools used in healthcare must also not discriminate, and the safety and well-being of patients must be prioritised when any new technology is introduced, the guidelines add.
“Innovative solutions are needed to meet the challenges in our health and social care system, and AI is a promising tool that can be integrated to help address some of these challenges,” said HIQA’s director of health information and standards Rachel Flynn.
“As the role of AI in health and social care service delivery continues to grow, the development of national guidance for the responsible and safe use of AI in a health and social care context is timely and will also support the implementation of national standards in this area.”
The draft guidelines are now open to public consultation for a six-week period, allowing people to have their say on the use of AI in health and social care.
“This draft national guidance aims to empower staff and services to realise the positive impact of AI on service delivery, helping to prepare the sector for the significant changes that are coming in this area,” added Ms Fynn.
“It includes practical information relating to topics like governance, transparency and public engagement, while guiding through the appropriate safeguards and legal obligations, helping to address potential risks.
“The draft guidance has been developed with and for people using and delivering services, and we would encourage all interested parties to please provide their feedback by participating in our public consultation.”
The guidance was commissioned by the Department of Health and is informed by an evidence review conducted by HIQA which has also been published.
Last month Department of Health officials told a meeting of the Oireachtas Health Committee that the Government will soon launch a new strategy on how the health system intends to use artificial intelligence to bolster its services.
The plan, entitled ‘AI for Care’ will soon be published by the Government, Department of Health Assistant Secretary Derek Tierney said.
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