Medical Council publishes position statement on AI

• The position statement contains professional guidance for doctors, with a focus on patient safety and wellbeing

Tuesday, 21st October 2025: The Medical Council has today published a statement articulating its position on the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in clinical settings and clinical decision-making.

The Medical Council’s position is that in clinical practice, doctors must remain grounded in the core values of medicine and good professional practice principles.

While the Medical Council recognises the great potential that AI holds for the medical field, and it supports the integration of AI into clinical settings, this integration must be underpinned by a doctor’s commitment to patient safety, professional integrity, and public trust.

As AI evolves and is increasingly embedded into clinical practice, patient safety remains paramount. Doctors’ knowledge and expertise must remain at the forefront of clinical decision making.

Its position statement sets out the core values and considerations that should guide doctors in the responsible use of AI in clinical settings. These key areas include:

• Professional Accountability and Clinical Judgment 

• Transparency, Communication, and Shared Decision-Making 

• Equity, Ethics, and the Prevention of Bias 

• Confidentiality, Data Protection, and Information Security 

• Education, Competence, and Continuous Professional Development 

By adhering to good professional practice principles, doctors can ensure that AI contributes to safer, more effective medical treatment, rather than allow it to replace their clinical decision making.

Dr Maria O’Kane, CEO of the Medical Council said, “As AI increasingly makes its way into healthcare, we as the regulator have a responsibility to doctors and patients to guide its safe, ethical, and effective use in clinical decision-making. We must anticipate challenges, set clear expectations, and above all, ensure that AI supports safe, high-quality patient care.

“Doctors hold a privileged position of trust in society, and it is critical that they adhere to good professional practice principles when integrating AI into medical practice.

“We look forward to continuing constructive engagement with our stakeholders, including doctors and patients, to support them as further developments arise.”

Jantze Cotter, Executive Director, Regulatory Policy and Standards, Medical Council said, “Advancements in AI hold great potential for the medical field but also introduce significant ethical, legal, regulatory and professional challenges for doctors using AI in their practice. It is important to have strong governance of AI in this context, without stifling the potential innovation that AI could bring.

“In cases where AI contributes to errors or adverse outcomes, the same professional and legal standards apply as they would for any other clinical tool or technology. Strong governance frameworks help mitigate risks, ensuring AI is used ethically, transparently, and in alignment with best practices.”

Fiona McVeigh, Head of Regulatory Policy, Medical Council said, “We are pleased to provide tailored guidance to the profession to ensure patient safety when adopting AI into clinical decision-making. We will continue to shape regulatory policy and develop position statements to inform, develop and communicate our regulatory response.”

The Medical Council’s position statement serves as a foundation for the responsible use of AI in clinical practice. It should be read in conjunction with the Guide to Professional Conduct and Ethics for Registered Medical Practitioners (9th Edition, 2024) and considered in conjunction with governmental guidelines and frameworks on AI use.

It will be periodically reviewed in line with advancements in AI technology and regulatory developments.