NHS AI policy: What’s in the {pound}10bn investment and what are the concerns?

AI Summary

NHS England announced a £10 billion investment over three years to advance artificial intelligence projects including AI triage tools, ambient voice transcription, and online hospital services. Concerns remain over the potential closure of some GP practices, data security, and the impact on doctors' training and patient care.

NHS England will spend £10bn over three years on artificial intelligence developments in an investment it claims will deliver dividends on cutting waiting times and improving care.1Initiatives include an AI triage tool to direct patients to the most appropriate service,2 ambient voice transcribing of patients’ notes, and the “online NHS hospital.”However, the announcement has come with NHS officials hinting that the drive to digital could see swathes of general practices shutting their doors.Doctors have also warned that despite the billions being put forward the evidence base for these tools actually delivering benefits remains murky and the AI transformation must ensure there is still space for doctors to learn and grow.Patients’ groups are also concerned about what the changes will mean for data security and call for transparency over who will have access.Here, The BMJ breaks down each of the headline announcements—and the concerns over NHS England’s AI investment.AI triage on...