The recent inaugural All-Ireland Clinical AI [Artificial Intelligence] Congress and AI Tech Expo, hosted by Athena Pharmaceuticals, brought together an exceptional array of policymakers, industry leaders, clinicians, and AI specialists to discuss how AI can be used to handle data, enhance patient care, and ultimately improve outcomes. The Congress, which was attended by 550 delegates, provided expert insights, clinical case studies, primary care perspective, and an international keynote speech on global AI strategy.
A selection of the wide-ranging topics discussed included the HSE AI for Care strategy; digital transformation and AI research; and AI deployment. Throughout the meeting, a number of fascinating panel discussions were held, involving stakeholders from many disciplines.
The Congress was opened by Mr Dave Shanahan, CEO, Athena Pharmaceuticals, who spoke about the need to preserve empathy in an AI-influenced world and the need to “get it right” with AI.
“We certainly didn’t get it right with social media,” Mr Shanahan told attendees.
“If we went back, we would probably say there is a better way to do social media with our young people. If we are going to do better with AI, it is going to be a ‘team sport’, involving Government, industry, and academia all working together as never before, because we all have a stake in this. But we must also always be cognisant that we have to always be in control of the technology.”
Mr Shanahan introduced Mr Derek Tierney, Secretary General, Department of Health. “Our health service is changing rapidly, we all know this,” Mr Tierney told the conference.
“Demand is rising, care is more complex, staff are under pressure, and ultimately resources must be used well… technology will not solve these challenges alone, but it can help.”
He added that AI technology should be designed around people’s practical needs and that should be translated into better outcomes for patients.
“Used well, AI can reduce administration, support documentation, organise information, and identify patterns in complex data. It can give clinicians something valuable, and that’s time… the objective is not to put technology between the clinician and the patient,” he continued.
“I believe it is to use technology to create more space for the relationship between them.”
Mr Tierney told the Congress that AI should support clinical judgement and accountability, rather than replacing them.
“The future of healthcare will be more digital and data-enabled; therefore, our mission should be that it also becomes more connected, more responsive, and more compassionate, and, ultimately, more human. This is the challenge before us, but it’s also an opportunity.”
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