The Veterinary AI Transparency Alliance, a group of stakeholder organisations and individuals from across the veterinary, technology and regulatory worlds, is consulting members of the professions on a draft framework to support responsible artificial intelligence (AI) use.
The Alliance, led by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) and digital veterinary communications platform Digital Practice, has produced the framework to support safe, proportionate, and informed adoption of AI tools in veterinary settings through best practice guidance for both AI providers and veterinary practices.
The framework has been developed over the course of 18 months, involving input from veterinary professionals, developers, practices, regulators, insurers, educators, members of the wider practice team and animal owners.
With 23 principles in total, the framework covers issues such as human oversight requirements, data storage and usage, risk, and the potential impact of AI use on client consent and choice. In each case, it sets out the information AI providers should disclose, why this is important to veterinary professionals, and minimum guidance expectations. In addition, the framework also provides notes for veterinary professionals on how best to assess information given to them by AI providers.
Lizzie Lockett, RCVS CEO, said: “Thank you to all the veterinary professionals, representatives of veterinary associations and technology providers who have contributed to this draft framework.
“When we convened these meetings, there was a very clear sense from all parties that AI tools had the potential to greatly enhance the capabilities of veterinary professionals and help improve animal health and welfare.
“However, this was balanced by the clear desire to use AI tools with requisite caution, taking into account potential risks, the need to be open and transparent about their use, and the need for professional judgement both when choosing an AI service and when their outputs are used. The framework aims to ensure the information veterinary professionals need to exercise that judgement is available to them.”
Susie Samuel, Digital Practice CEO, said: "We hope this framework reflects the detailed and nuanced discussions we have held with stakeholders, recognising that AI can bring real benefits to animal health and welfare. In a period of rapid change, veterinary teams want to adopt these tools safely while technology providers want to help them do so.
“Please read the draft framework and complete the survey: your responses will directly shape how we refine the document and ensure it is as relevant and useful as possible for the profession and the wider industry.”
A link to the survey and the draft framework is available on the RCVS website. The survey closes on Monday 6 July at 5pm.