What do young people want from Artificial Intelligence in healthcare?

A new paper, published in Paediatric Research uncovered children and young peoples’ (CYP) priorities and apprehensions around the technology of growing interest in medicine.

Twenty-one members of our hospital's YPAG, aged 10-21, were presented with a range of scenarios for how AI could be used in healthcare, from AI that can power cleaning robots to support for doctors that are planning surgeries.

Before the discussion, GOSH YPAG received information about what innovation means at GOSH from Professor Neil Sebire, Managing Director of the Data Research, Innovation and Virtual Environments unit (GOSH DRIVE) that aims to transform care through use of data and technologies.

Three main themes emerged from children and young people in the workshop:

The group raised questions about the safety and benefit of the technology in various scenarios particularly for children and young people with rare diseases.

The group discussed that human connectedness is important in healthcare and that in using AI, empathy, agency, and power dynamics are really crucial. Replacing humans was commonly associated with the impact on jobs and the group suggested AI should be supportive of staff rather than replace them.

The group discussed the influence of popular culture like movies and science fiction on people’s thoughts and feelings about AI. They agreed that trust may need to be built for the technology if it’s used in healthcare. They thought that educational workshops and transparency about its use, with clear explanations and examples could help, showing the positives but addressing common concerns.

The most accepted uses of AI amongst the group were sensor technology to reduce overcrowding, cleaning robots, virtual reality visits and 3D printed organs, whilst AI-powered nurses was the least.

This workshop demonstrates that children and young people have lots of view on AI in healthcare and that by involving them we can optimise innovation to enhance future experiences of care. Now, we need to understand how to create opportunities and environments that will enable continuous involvement of young people and their families in the development of new technologies.

Oceiah Annesley, GOSH YPAG member and co-author of the article said, "YPAG are essential to keeping both ideas and concerns up-to-date as AI develops. Overall, it is critical to keep children and young people involved with AI, as they have been brought up with technology. Children and young people have lived and breathed technology and are the key to co-creation and AI’s future success in healthcare."