Our Policies

Artificial Intelligence in the Veterinary Profession

What's the issue?

Artificial Intelligence (AI) in all its forms is rapidly becoming a major new tool in the veterinary profession. The potential benefits of using AI effectively are huge, helping us provide even better care for animals and supporting the vet led team. However, just like any powerful technology, we need to be careful because poorly implemented AI could create new challenges.

 

What's our view?

We think that a positive and open-minded approach to AI, viewing it as a tool to support the vet and wider vet team, is the best way forward to ensure that the profession is confident applying these technologies in their day-to-day work. As a profession we must ensure the development and deployment of veterinary AI technology is done in an ethical and clear way. This policy position provides some general principles to support the safe and effective use of AI technologies across the profession appreciating the opportunities and the risks of using AI. 

BVA Principles of AI Use in the Veterinary Profession

We recommend that veterinary professionals should follow these 8 principles when using AI in their work:

  1. AI is a tool - Technologies should be used to support, not replace the vet. 
  2. AI literacy - Vets should understand the limits of AI and validate critically.
  3. Vets in AI development - Vets must guide development and validation.
  4. Awareness and management of bias - Identify data bias for ethical use.
  5. Confidence and agility - Vets must stay up to speed on AI technologies and be confident in their use.
  6. Consent, privacy and client trust - Ensure data privacy and client consent.
  7. Human oversight and responsibility - Vets must oversee AI use and be responsible for decisions that are made.
  8. Explainability - AI technologies must demonstrate how they reached their conclusions and the vet must understand this.

View our policy documents

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With thanks 

This policy was developed through our dedicated working group, with thanks to members Nick Jackson (Chair,), Rebecca Swan, Chris Trace, P-J Noble, Liz Barton, and Matt Dobbs.

We also note thanks to contributors Adele Williams, Kate Higgins, Paul Horwood, Thom Jenkins, Nicolo Frisiani, Hamzeh Malik, and Aaron Fletcher.

Without the support of our members, we couldn't do the work we do. If you would like to be a part of this, you can join BVA today.