Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Artificial intelligence (AI) is technology that can carry out tasks that would usually need human intelligence.

AI systems learn from data, adapt and make decisions based on patterns and rules; for example they can recognise patterns in images or summarise information.

You may have already encountered AI in your everyday life, for example by using face recognition or voice assistants such as Siri on mobile phones, or on smart speakers such as Alexa and Google Home.

AI in the NHS

AI may help NHS staff provide care and spend less time on administrative tasks.

For example, it can:

analyse medical images to spot signs of disease such as cancer
interpret and summarise clinical documentation, making it easier for healthcare professionals to access relevant information
help clinicians review medical images or prepare draft notes.

Benefits

There are many benefits for the use of AI in the NHS, and it is a key focus of the NHS 10 Year Plan, with the NHS aiming to be the most AI-enabled care system in the world. NHS England expects AI to cut down waiting times, speed up access to the right care and reduce time spent on hospital admin.

Safety

We have robust processes in place for the introduction of new technologies at Oxford University Hospitals, including AI. Any AI technology being used in the Trust must go through our AI approvals process, which includes information governance, clinical engineering, cyber security and ethics checks.

NHS England has produced guidance for patients and service users on artificial intelligence, focused on information governance and the implications of using AI in health and care settings:

Artificial intelligence guidance for patients and service users - NHS England Digital

How we use AI

Here are some ways in which AI is being used across Oxford University Hospitals.

Staff use Microsoft Copilot to help write up meeting notes, emails and analyse data. It is not approved for clinical use.

Ambient Voice Technology (AVT) is being introduced across the Trust to help clinicians create clinical notes following your appointment.

AI is being used in research to validate existing AI tools in clinical settings; this includes Radiology, where AI is being used to improve diagnostic accuracy through image recognition and to reduce reporting times:

Oxford Clinical Artificial Intelligence Research (OxCAIR)

We consider AI technologies for use where we can see that they deliver improvements to patient care. AI solutions are championed by a clinician or member of staff in the organisation, and must go through our AI approvals process before being used, to ensure effectiveness and safety.