AI could have 'immense' benefits for NHS, says tech committee chair

The chairman of the Commons Science and Technology Committee has thrown his weight behind recommendations for the widespread introduction of artificial intelligence (AI) to the NHS. Norman Lamb said the rewards could be "immense" in terms of cost savings and diagnosing patients more quickly. But he warned people's privacy must be protected and that the health service should get a "fair deal" from technology companies implementing the systems. The report, by the Reform think tank, said AI could be used to target treatment by predicting which individuals or groups might be at risk of illness, to send patients to the most appropriate services or to enable them to "self-care". The technology can also be used to improve diagnoses, Reform said, including for breast cancer – 30 times faster and more accurately than humans, the group claimed.