Simon Jones: Singing from the same hymn sheet

If it’s utilised correctly, artificial intelligence (AI) will fundamentally change the way optometrists and optical practices operate, along with lifting some of the burden placed on the NHS.

But for that to happen, the industry in its entirety needs to be on the same page. That’s practitioners, equipment manufacturers, public health organisations, AI developers and regulators. At present, there seems to be a degree of suspicion and cynicism, and the overall picture looks a bit disparate.

Practitioners are worried about how their roles will be affected and it’s easy to see why. Most new studies or product launches major on the accuracy, speed and reliability of the AI platform in question, but direct comparisons with human performance begin to make people nervous. The optics of suggesting a new piece of technology is better than a human doesn’t seem that good. Painting a picture of practice life alongside AI might be a better approach.