Members of the public are being invited to deliver their verdict on the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare in Ireland by stepping forward as jurors in a Citizens’ Jury tasked with developing a series of recommendations to Government by the end of this year.
An initiative of IPPOSI (the Irish Platform for Patients’ Organisations, Science & Industry), the jury of 25 people, broadly representative of the population, and assembled following an independent selection process, will focus on the social, ethical, legal and practical considerations of increasing the use of AI in healthcare.
Over a 10-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.
Jury members will be guided by an independent oversight panel comprising independent experts in the fields of public participation, citizen and patient advocacy, health policy, health care, health research and AI. Jurors will receive a gratuity in recognition of their commitment.
“I personally have no doubt that AI will lead to better healthcare, with better prevention, diagnosis, treatments, and outcomes, which is good news for patients. It will also mean better throughput and efficiencies, which is good news for the health system,” said Prof Alan Smeaton of Dublin City University. “However, to achieve this, it is vital that we develop our AI literacy, so that we get to know its strengths and weaknesses, and its opportunities and dangers. This citizens’ jury, with its balanced range of perspectives and backgrounds, offers an ideal springboard to kickstart this conversation among policymakers.”
Derick Mitchell, CEO, IPPOSI, said: “We know that developments in AI technology are moving fast and that regulation and policy need to keep up. AI in healthcare presents many opportunities and challenges. Many of IPPOSI’s members living with chronic and rare diseases believe that if we get it right, AI offers the potential for massive benefits for healthcare service users, including enabling earlier detection and diagnosis of disease, the ability to analyse vast amounts of patient data, and the reduction of backlogs in service delivery.
“However, there are also potential dangers arising from algorithm bias and the lack of transparency on how AI technology is actually working. It is vital that we explore the pros and cons, the potential trade-offs, and the rules that will need to be in place to ensure the appropriate use of AI in a way that earns people’s trust.”
Anyone over the age of 18 living in Ireland can apply at www.ipposi.ie/aicitizensjury with a closing date of 21 June.
The initiative is supported by Science Foundation Ireland as well as through unrestricted grants from IPPOSI industry members.
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