Artificial intelligence hesitancy could hinder healthcare innovation

The public's concerns about accuracy, cyber-security and the inability of AI-led chatbots to sympathise could be in the way of successfully introducing artificial intelligence into healthcare, new research led by the University of Westminster has found. The study involving the University of Westminster, the University College London and the University of Southampton is the first to look at public attitudes towards AI in healthcare, and it comes at a crucial time following the £250 million funding announcement for AI in the NHS. This new research developed a concept of'AI hesitancy' which shows that a large proportion of the public is reluctant to use AI-led services for their healthcare, particularly for more serious illnesses. However, the newly announced NHS funding does not consider public acceptance of this technology. Therefore, the researchers warn that increased focus on AI in the NHS can increase health inequalities and may be detrimental to public health in the UK.