The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has published a set of general principles for using artificial intelligence (AI) to support vets to use these emerging technologies safely, effectively and ethically.
The eight principles, which form a part of BVA’s new policy position on AI in the veterinary profession, cover its use across clinical practice, education, research, epidemiology, and admin and practice management.
They include advice for vets on how to:
- Use AI as a tool to support, not replace, the vet;
- Understand how AI technologies work and feel confident in using them;
- Actively participate in the design, development, and validation of AI tools for animal health and welfare;
- Understand how an AI system was trained and the contexts in which bias may appear;
- Be confident understanding how AI technologies are advancing and adapt to potentially quick changes in the tools available;
- Ensure data privacy and client consent;
- Oversee AI use in clinical practice and be responsible for final decisions; and
- Be able to easily access what data was used and explain how an AI tool reached its conclusion.
BVA’s policy position encourages vets to have a positive, proactive and open-minded approach to veterinary AI technology while being aware of its potential ethical risks.
Apart from urging all veterinary professionals to actively engage with understanding AI and following the above principles when using it, recommendations in the policy position call for all veterinary workplaces to develop AI use policies; undertake thorough risk assessments and develop resources to assist vets in understanding how AI tools work and how they can be evaluated.
In addition, it calls for the wider sector to create international governance and explainability standards for veterinary AI tools; develop active regulation of veterinary AI tools used in the UK by the country’s veterinary regulators; and for AI tech developers to provide transparent validation data.
BVA president Dr Rob Williams MRCVS said: “The AI revolution is here to stay and brings with it both important opportunities as well as challenges for the veterinary profession.
“Having a positive and open-minded approach that views AI as a tool to support vets and the wider vet team is the best way forward to make sure that the profession is confident applying these technologies in their day-to-day work.
“The general principles developed in BVA’s new policy position offer a timely and helpful framework for all veterinary workplaces considering the safe and effective use of AI technologies.”
