Welcome to this week’s issue of The Week in Medicine – a round-up of all the happenings in the world of Irish medicine What’s the difference between a doctor and a light bulb? When a light bulb burns out, it stops working. ************ Would you like to deliberate on the use of Artificial Intelligence in medicine? Members of the public are being invited to give their verdict on the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in medicine in Ireland by becoming members of a ‘Citizens’ Jury’ tasked with developing a series of recommendations to government by the end of the year. The initiative to establish the jury of 25 people by the Irish Platform for Patients’ Organisations, Science and Industry (IPPOSI) will focus on the social, ethical, legal and practical issues involved in the increasing use of AI in healthcare.
How will AI work with healthcare? Reading scans and bloodwork? Monitoring outcomes and waiting lists? While AI has the potential to change, and perhaps improve clinical care in many areas, the introduction of AI also raises some important questions about accountability, responsibility, patient safety and the quality of care. For a ten-week period the jury will hear from expert ‘witnesses’ on the benefits and challenges posed by the use of AI in healthcare in Ireland, with an opportunity to cross-examine and tease out the issues, before delivering its verdict – which is intended to inform future health policy on the topic. Anyone over the age of 18 liv.
