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The position of the Medical Council on the use of AI in the hospital or doctor’s surgery comes as more medics turn to the technology in their day-to-day practice. The guidance said even with the use of AI doctors must rely on their critical thinking, reasoning, and judgment as the final authority. Maintaining accurate and comprehensive records will provide important evidence of sound clinical judgment and accountability. The Council said that “transparency is essential; patients should be informed when AI tools are used in the diagnosis, treatment and delivery of their care”. “In communicating with patients about the use of AI, doctors should apply proportionality and professional judgment. The level of information a doctor needs to provide will depend on how and when AI is being used,” they said. It added for example, if AI is being used as part of software to improve the accuracy of interpreting diagnostic images, the doctor would not be expected to provide technical detail about how the software works. “However, if a doctor is using an AI tool to record consultations, they would need to provide more information about how the AI works and may impact the patient in terms of its collection and use of their personal information – for example, if public generative AI software is used personal information becomes public domain.” Dr Maria O’Kane, chief executive of the Medical Council said: “As AI increasingly makes its way into healthcare, we as the regulator have a responsibility to doctors and patients to guide its safe, ethical, and effective use in clinical decision-making. We must anticipate challenges, set clear expectations, and above all, ensure that AI supports safe, high-quality patient care. “Doctors hold a privileged position of trust in society, and it is critical that they adhere to good professional practice principles when integrating AI into medical practice. “We look forward to continuing constructive engagement with our stakeholders, including doctors and patients, to support them as further developments arise.” Jantze Cotter, executive director of regulatory policy and standards in the Medical Council added: “Advancements in AI hold great potential for the medical field but also introduce significant ethical, legal, regulatory and professional challenges for doctors using AI in their practice. It is important to have strong governance of AI in this context, without stifling the potential innovation that AI could bring. “In cases where AI contributes to errors or adverse outcomes, the same professional and legal standards apply as they would for any other clinical tool or technology. Strong governance frameworks help mitigate risks, ensuring AI is used ethically, transparently, and in alignment with best practices.” The guidance will be periodically reviewed in line with advancements in AI technology and regulatory developments.
