Three-quarters (75%) of the public support sharing some of their personal health data for the development of artificial intelligence systems in the NHS, according to a new survey from the Health Foundation.

In UK-wide polling of over 7,000 members of the public, the health policy charity found that the majority were willing to share data on areas such as their eye health (59%), medicines they are taking (58%) and any long-term illnesses they live with (57%). 

However, the results found less willingness to share some types of data, with 47% willing to share smart phone tracked data such as sleep activity, and just 44% willing to share sexual health information.

With AI now being used in health care to support staff with tasks such as clinical decision making, analysing scans and test results, and scheduling appointments, the data could be used to help plan further investments into health technology, and identify areas where more education around emerging technology could benefit the public. 

The polling showed that public trust in the NHS holding personal health data remains strong, despite some concerns around data security and privacy, with around two-thirds of the public found to have either high or moderate levels of trust in the NHS with their health data.

However, the study found that people are hesitant about technologies that might ‘distance’ patients from health care staff or come between them, such as care robots.

Only a third (33%) reported that they would be happy for a robot to provide some personal care over a human carer, while just 42% said they would want a robot controlled by a surgeon to perform an operation on them.

People named the ability to see and talk to NHS staff as their most important consideration when thinking about technology use in health care, with older people in particular naming this as their most important consideration (39% of those aged 65 and older). 

The polling also revealed differences between socioeconomic groups when it comes to health technology and data use.

Those from households where the main earner is semi-skilled, unskilled or not in work were significantly less likely to support the use of any of their health data for AI development, and also less likely to view technology as improving the quality of health care. 

Analysing the results, the Health Foundation noted these findings highlight the importance of engaging all social groups in the development of new technologies, to ensure they work for everyone and do not inadvertently create or worsen inequalities. 

“It is encouraging that most people are open to sharing their data to develop AI systems in the NHS,” said Dr Malte Gerhold, director of innovation and improvement at the Health Foundation.

“When properly implemented, we know that AI has the potential to free up staff by supporting clinical and administrative tasks. However, these systems are only as good as the data used to design and develop them. 

“Policymakers, NHS leaders and those involved in designing and implementing health care technologies must proactively engage with people across different social groups to ensure that health care technologies help tackle inequalities, rather than worsen them

“It is only with the public’s support that the government will successfully achieve its ambition of shifting the NHS from analogue to digital.”

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The use of emerging technologies in healthcare has moved quickly over the last year, with research from the Alan Turing Institute finding that nearly a third of UK doctors have already been using some form of AI in their practices, and new AI-powered tools being rolled out in Scotland to help predict which individuals are most at risk of needing urgent hospital care. 

Several research projects from Scottish universities have made leaps in health-tech this year, too. In August, researchers from Edinburgh and Dundee partnered to use AI to help predict dementia, while in October, Glasgow University scientists announced the development of an AI tool to improve treatment for people with rectal cancer.