Key Takeaways: White Paper on AI in Healthcare

• A collaborative white paper highlights the need for reform in AI adoption within healthcare systems.
• Clinicians may resist AI tools if perceived as burdensome or risky to their decision-making and legal standing.
• Seven recommendations include revising product liability laws, involving clinicians in AI design, and prioritising information over recommendations.
• The research was funded by The MPS Foundation and involved multiple academic and research institutions.

New White Paper Calls for Responsible AI Integration in Healthcare

A recently published white paper, supported by The MPS Foundation, outlines critical considerations for integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into healthcare systems. Developed through a collaboration between York University’s Centre for Assuring Autonomy, the MPS Foundation, and the Improvement Academy at the Bradford Institute for Health Research, the document addresses challenges and proposes actionable solutions to ensure AI enhances healthcare efficiency without compromising safety or clinician autonomy.

The publication is part of broader efforts to guide governments, AI developers, and regulators in fostering an environment where AI can be effectively utilised in healthcare settings.

Addressing the “Off Switch” Challenge

One of the key issues raised in the white paper is the reluctance of frontline clinicians to adopt AI technologies. According to the authors, the greatest threat to AI uptake in healthcare is what they term the “off switch.” If clinicians perceive AI tools as burdensome, unfit for purpose, or a potential liability risk, they may choose not to use them.

This resistance stems from concerns that clinicians could become “liability sinks,” absorbing all legal responsibility for flawed decisions driven by AI. Such fears could hinder the widespread adoption of these technologies, even when they have the potential to improve patient care and streamline operations.

The Shared CAIRE (Shared Care AI Role Evaluation) research project, which informed the white paper, underscores this challenge. Funded by The MPS Foundation and conducted in partnership with the Improvement Academy and the University of York, the project brought together experts in safety, medicine, AI, human-computer interaction, ethics, and law to evaluate how AI decision-support tools affect clinicians.

Seven Recommendations for Ethical and Effective AI Use

To address these challenges, the white paper presents seven clear recommendations aimed at fostering trust and usability in AI tools. Among these recommendations are calls for urgent reform in product liability laws, adjustments in how AI tools interact with clinicians, and greater involvement of healthcare professionals in the design process.

The authors argue that the current product liability regime faces significant difficulties when applied to AI tools, necessitating reform. In the interim, they suggest that AI tools should provide information rather than direct recommendations to clinicians. This approach, they explain, would reduce risks to both clinicians and patients while product liability frameworks are updated.

Another key recommendation emphasises the importance of involving clinicians in the development of AI tools. By ensuring that these tools are designed with usability, utility, and safety in mind, developers can create solutions that align with the practical needs of healthcare professionals.

A Call for Urgent Action

The white paper’s authors stress the urgency of implementing these recommendations. They urge governments, AI developers, and regulators to act swiftly to address the identified challenges and create a supportive framework for AI integration in healthcare.

By taking these steps, stakeholders can help ensure that AI technologies reach their full potential in improving healthcare systems worldwide. As the healthcare sector remains one of the largest areas for AI investment globally, the findings and recommendations presented in this white paper offer timely guidance for shaping the future of AI in medicine.

The MPS Foundation, along with its partners, continues to advocate for responsible AI adoption, aiming to bridge the gap between technological innovation and practical application in healthcare settings.

---

For more details on the white paper and its recommendations, visit https://www.thempsfoundation.org/.