Event round-up: AI Leaders Lunchtime Lecture Series - Algorithmic impact assessments in healthcare
With the adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) continuing to grow across the healthcare sector, on Wednesday 9 February we were joined by researchers from the Ada Lovelace Institute to talk us through their research mapping out a novel, step-by-step algorithmic impact assessment (AIA) process.
Our host was Emilie Sundorph, techUK’s Programme Manager for Digital Ethics and Artificial Intelligence, and our speakers were:
Jenny Brennan, Senior Researcher, Ada Lovelace Institute
Lana Groves, Researcher, Ada Lovelace Institute
Jenny began by stressing the importance of processes or mechanisms that ensure oversight and accountability in AI, stating that these bridge the gap between software developers and the users of their products. They do so in four key ways:
By building public trust in and acceptance of the use of AI systems
By considering the impacts and risks of systems prior to them going live
By meaningfully engaging citizens in the development and evaluation of AI systems
And by fostering a greater sense of accountability
Then, Jenny introduced the concept of AIAs, explaining that there is currently no standardised methodology for creating them and that the only instance in which they have been used in practice is in Canada. Therefore, building on the Ada Lovelace Institute’s work on methods for assessing and inspecting algorithmic systems, Jenny and Lana partnered with the NHS AI Lab to conduct a first-of-its-kind study into algorithmic impact assessments in healthcare.
Lana then talked attendees through the research process, which consisted of a literature review of AIAs in theory and practice, twenty stakeholder interviews, and then iterative process development. To achieve an empirical grounding, these stages were applied to the National Medical Imaging Platform’s data access process.
This had the advantage of providing a ready-to-use accountability mechanism in the form of the platform’s existing Data Access Committee, comprised of representatives from the fields of social sciences, biomedical sciences, computer science/ AI, and law/ data ethics, plus, crucially, two patients.
The AIA process to come out of this research consisted of seven stages: A reflexive exercise, application filtering, a 2–3-hour participatory workshop, synthesis, a data access decision, publication, and iteration. It is hoped that by implementing this, researchers and developers applying for access to NHS data will consider the possible social impacts of the AI systems they are creating.
This process will be piloted by the NHS in England as part of its commitment to tackling the underlying biases that exacerbate health inequalities.
Following the presentation, discussion topics included the ownership of decisions made or enabled by AI systems, the optimal point of AIA intervention in a developer’s ops lifecycle, the possibility of ensuring transparency throughout the AIA process, as well as the question of which actor(s) will ultimately define algorithmic risk in the future.
You can find a recording of the event here:
Leontina Postelnicu
Head of Health and Social Care, techUK
Leontina Postelnicu
Head of Health and Social Care, techUK
Leontina joined techUK in March 2020, where she is now heading up the organisation’s Health and Social Care programme. At the moment, she is also completing an MSc in Health Policy at Imperial College London.
A former journalist, Leontina previously worked for the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) as an associate editor for its International and Media divisions. There, she covered the EMEA region for Healthcare IT News, MobiHealthNews and HIMSS TV, with a focus on policy and innovation, and contributed to the Women in Health IT newsletter and HIMSS Insights eBook.
Outside of work, she enjoys reading, dancing, travelling and visiting her family in Romania, where she hails from.
Programme Manager, Health and Social Care & Justice and Emergency Services, techUK
Robert Walker
Programme Manager, Health and Social Care & Justice and Emergency Services, techUK
Robert joined techUK in October 2022, where he is now Programme Manager for Health and Social Care & Justice and Emergency Services.
Robert previously worked at the Pension Protection Fund, within the policy and public affairs team. Prior to this, he worked at the Scottish Parliament, advising politicians and industry stakeholders on a wide range of issues, including rural crime and health policies.
Robert has a degree in Politics and International Relations (MA Hons) from the University of Aberdeen, with a particular focus on strategic studies and energy security. Outside of work he enjoys activities such as running, rugby, boxing and cooking!
Alex joined techUK in July 2021, where she is now Programme Manager for Health and Social Care.
Alex formerly worked at Portland Communications, joining as part of their 2019 Graduate Scheme intake. In March 2020 she joined Portland’s Health team, supporting a range of clients in the life sciences industry across both public affairs and strategic communications.
Alex has a degree in History from the University of Cambridge, focussing on Early Modern Europe and material culture. Outside of work she enjoys reading, finding new places to eat, and running.
Tracy supports several areas at techUK, including Cyber Exchange, Cyber Security, Defence, Health and Social Care, Local Public Services, Nations and Regions and National Security.
Tracy joined techUK in March 2022, having worked in the education sector for 19 years, covering administration, research project support, IT support and event/training support. My most outstanding achievement has been running three very successful international conferences and over 300 training courses booked all over the globe!
Tracy has a great interest in tech. Gaming and computing have been a big part of her life, and now electric cars are an exciting look at the future. She has warmed to Alexa, even though it can sometimes be sassy!
Sue leads techUK's Technology and Innovation work.
This includes work programmes on cloud, data protection, data analytics, AI, digital ethics, Digital Identity and Internet of Things as well as emerging and transformative technologies and innovation policy. She has been recognised as one of the most influential people in UK tech by Computer Weekly's UKtech50 Longlist and in 2021 was inducted into the Computer Weekly Most Influential Women in UK Tech Hall of Fame. A key influencer in driving forward the data agenda in the UK Sue is co-chair of the UK government's National Data Strategy Forum. As well as being recognised in the UK's Big Data 100 and the Global Top 100 Data Visionaries for 2020 Sue has also been shortlisted for the Milton Keynes Women Leaders Awards and was a judge for the Loebner Prize in AI. In addition to being a regular industry speaker on issues including AI ethics, data protection and cyber security, Sue was recently a judge for the UK Tech 50 and is a regular judge of the annual UK Cloud Awards.
Prior to joining techUK in January 2015 Sue was responsible for Symantec's Government Relations in the UK and Ireland. She has spoken at events including the UK-China Internet Forum in Beijing, UN IGF and European RSA on issues ranging from data usage and privacy, cloud computing and online child safety. Before joining Symantec, Sue was senior policy advisor at the Confederation of British Industry (CBI). Sue has an BA degree on History and American Studies from Leeds University and a Masters Degree on International Relations and Diplomacy from the University of Birmingham. Sue is a keen sportswoman and in 2016 achieved a lifelong ambition to swim the English Channel.
The techUK Annual Dinner is the established, must-attend business dinner in our calendar. It brings together all the key figures in the tech industry, government and significant stakeholders for an enjoyable and influential evening.
The evening begins with a drinks reception, followed by a fabulous dinner and speeches from the country's leading technology stakeholders. The event allows important networking opportunities throughout the evening, culminating with after dinner drinks.