Adoption, orchestration and deployment of AI within the NHS—facilitators and barriers: an expert roundtable discussion

Abstract

Clinical care, workflow, and patient outcomes within NHS radiology services will potentially benefit significantly in coming years with the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into various specialty areas. This article summarises an expert roundtable discussion, convened by the British Institute of Radiology, comprised of experts from clinical, NHS management and industry backgrounds. Facilitators and barriers to both implementation and integration of AI platforms into daily practice are discussed alongside examples including AI in emergency care and breast screening. Issues addressed include the need to generate more real-world evidence that helps developers and service providers to determine the optimal way for patients to reap the benefits of AI with faster reporting turnaround time, faster diagnoses and treatment times, for example. To ensure the effective and timely widescale implementation, adoption requires a national policy drive and national level coordination but specific, local needs of NHS Trusts and any particular service within Trusts will also need to be met. By embedding AI-capabilities into scanners, ultrasound-devices, X-ray equipment, and PACS-systems, local services will benefit, while AI applications can streamline workflows across and between departments and potentially Trusts. AI predictive analytics and systems engineering can be used to better manage patient volume and movement. In the short term, education, training, and confidence in adapting and adopting AI in radiology require dedicated local, national and governmental effort but the future benefits promise to justify the means.