UK Corrects Tweet About AI Prowess, Sparks Brexit Confusion
Downing Street was forced to correct a tweet that mistakenly suggested the UK was still a part of the European Union (EU). The tweet, posted on Twitter, boasted about the UK’s achievements in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and stated that the country had twice as many AI companies as any other EU country.
However, users quickly pointed out that following Brexit, the UK was no longer a member of the EU. In response to the backlash, No 10 changed the wording to say any EU country instead.
The tweet was intended to highlight the UK government’s investment in AI, including a £13 million investment in technology for the National Health Service (NHS). Chancellor Rishi Sunak aims to position London as the home for a new global AI regulator and host an international AI summit this autumn.
Despite these aspirations, experts in the field have raised concerns about the UK’s AI capabilities, suggesting that the country is falling behind its European and US counterparts.
In a separate development, AI has been recommended for use in aiding NHS clinicians for the first time. Draft guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) has granted approval to nine AI platforms, acknowledging their potential to relieve the severe pressure faced by radiology departments and save costs.
Radiographers currently manually create contours, outlining healthy organs of cancer patients. AI technology can assist in this process, ensuring that beam radiotherapy does not harm healthy cells. The use of AI is expected to significantly reduce the time required for treatment planning, allowing clinicians to allocate more time to patients or complex cases.
Nice stated that AI platforms generally provide contours of similar quality when compared to manual outlining, with minor editing required in most cases. The potential time saved using AI ranges from three to 80 minutes per treatment plan, equating to significant hours and cost savings.
Sarah Byron, the program director for health technologies at Nice, emphasized the importance of AI in supporting treatment planning and expressed optimism about the potential time and cost savings that could be achieved through its use.
The adoption of AI in healthcare has the potential to streamline processes and improve patient outcomes. However, it remains crucial to ensure proper clinical oversight and the ongoing development of AI technology to address any limitations or concerns raised by experts in the field.
As the UK navigates its post-Brexit era, it is essential for the country to continue investing in AI and leverage its potential effectively. With proper support, the UK can position itself as a powerhouse in AI research, development, and application, addressing the concerns raised and establishing itself as a global leader in this field.
