More than half of the UK public feels excited about the potential implementation of artificial intelligence (AI) in the National Health Service as part of a nationwide study.
UK regulatory body, the British Standards Institute (BSI), has found that nearly half (49%) of UK citizens polled believe the use of AI could help the NHS to clear the backlog of patients and appointments that has long put strain on the health system.
It also found that more than half (54%) support the use of AI tools in their medical treatment, but at the same time around 61% want some form of international guidelines on the use of AI.
The BSI survey comes as the organisation seeks to establish a set of standards and rules regarding the use of AI in the UK industry, as well as working towards designation of an AI-notified body to deliver product certifications.
Dubbed, the “Trust in AI Poll”, the survey queried around 10,000 adults and found that 48% believe the use of AI can help to meet staffing needs across the sector, whilst 37% expect to be regularly using AI at the doctors or in hospitals by 2030.
Polling by GlobalData, which queried 1,450 professionals from across 30 industries, found that 76% of respondents believe AI will disrupt their industry. Additionally, it found that 46% of respondents believe AI is already disrupting their industry.
Harold Pradal, Chief Commercial Officer, BSI said: “AI is a transformational technology. For it to be a powerful force for good, trust needs to be the critical factor.
“There is a clear opportunity to harness AI to drive societal impact, change lives and accelerate progress towards a better future and a sustainable world. Closing the AI confidence gap is the first necessary step.
“It has to be delivered through education, to help realize AI’s benefits and shape Society 5.0 in a positive way. BSI is proud to be at the forefront of ensuring AI’s safe and trusted integration into everyday lives around the world.”
The BSI poll comes ahead of a planned UK Government summit on the safe use of AI at Bletchley Park on 1 and 2 November, for which the BSI is an official partner.
It also comes following the US Food and Drug Administration’s decision to found a new advisory committee to understand the benefits and risks of using AI, as well as linked technologies such as machine learning.
