Veterinary practices have the opportunity to revolutionise the way they work through the use of AI.

Opportunities

Vet tech which has been AI-enabled could help improve overall efficiency, streamline operations and, most importantly, improve the care of animals:

• Operational efficiency, eg scheduling appointments, managing inventories & billing.
• Enhanced diagnostics and treatment using AI to review x-rays & MRIs
• Remote monitoring using wearable devices with sensors.
• Personalised plans based on genetic information, medical history, breed and age.
• Predictive analytics to identify disease outbreaks and trends in animal health.

Addressing the risks

However, practices need to identify and manage the risks:

1. Data privacy and security including of sensitive information about animals and their owners.
2. Reliability and accuracy. AI is not infallible and should not replace professional judgment and clinical expertise.
3. Ethics. AI should not make diagnoses and treatment decisions without human interaction.
4. Training & education of staff to complement rather than replace human expertise.
5. Cost and accessibility might be an issue so practices should engage RCVS .

Next steps

Use of AI by veterinary practices offers tremendous opportunities to improve animal care, enhance diagnostics, and streamline operations. However, practices should assess and address risks related to data privacy, reliability, ethics, cost, and job displacement.

To read the more detailed article, head to the HCR Law website.

If you need advice, contact me at +44 20 3824 9748 or fjennings@hcrlaw.com.