Quick Summary

Hetan Shah, the chief executive of The British Academy, emphasized that the NHS and the UK government cannot simply apply technology to a struggling health service. His remarks were made during a keynote address at The Health Foundation event in London on February 13, 2025.

Key Points from the Speech

• Shah warned against viewing AI as a magical solution, stating that there is a risk of naivety in believing technology alone can resolve existing issues.
• He questioned why the current situation would differ from past failures in digital transformation within the NHS.
• Shah’s comments came after the launch of the government’s AI Action Opportunities Plan, which aims to position the UK as a leader in AI.

Data Quality and Integration Issues

• Shah referred to data as “the unsexy cousin of AI,” highlighting that the effectiveness of AI is heavily dependent on the quality of the data it is trained on.
• He pointed out that primary care data presents significant challenges in linking to the broader health system.
• Shah called for a solution to the current situation where GPs act as data controllers, complicating data sharing.

Need for Robust Evaluation of AI Products

• Shah stressed the importance of evaluating AI products to filter out ineffective solutions in a lucrative market.
• He raised concerns about the difficulty in obtaining independently verified evidence regarding the effectiveness of AI technologies.
• Shah noted the prevalence of exaggerated claims from companies and critical media coverage, making it hard to establish a genuine evidence base.

Optimism for AI’s Potential

• Despite his concerns, Shah expressed optimism about AI’s ability to change power dynamics in the health system.
• He highlighted the potential for AI to address social determinants of health, including environmental factors, housing, education, and poverty.
• Shah emphasized the need to consider how AI will impact collective health and well-being across various domains.

Conclusion

Shah’s insights underline the complexities of integrating AI into the NHS, stressing that technology cannot be a standalone solution to systemic issues. A focus on data quality, thorough evaluation of AI tools, and a broader understanding of health determinants are essential for successful implementation.