As artificial intelligence becomes an increasingly familiar part of veterinary practice, concerns are emerging about how practices can introduce these technologies while meeting their data protection responsibilities.
Training-Progress, the veterinary-specific training and document management platform, has seen practices struggling to understand what is required when introducing AI tools, particularly AI consultation scribes that process sensitive client and employee information.
While technology vendors are understandably focused on the functionality and benefits of their products, the data protection advice provided alongside them can sometimes be scant or incomplete. This can leave practice owners and managers uncertain about their responsibilities as Data Controllers, and the steps they need to take to protect the information entrusted to them.
In response to this growing need, Training-Progress has launched Introducing AI to Your Veterinary Practice, a new addition to its veterinary-specific GDPR training programme, developed in collaboration with multi-award-winning data protection specialist Cristina Vannini-Goodchild of CVG Solutions.
Using the realistic scenario of a practice introducing an AI consultation scribe, the two new leadership lessons assist a practice manager taking key steps, including Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs), lawful bases for processing, special category data, legitimate interest assessments and the need to update privacy information and team processes.
The aim is to help veterinary leaders make informed decisions, understand their obligations and introduce AI with greater confidence, rather than relying solely on the assurances of technology providers.
An optional GDPR Document Vault is also available, providing seven practical documents, including an AI policy, DPIA template, Record of Processing Activities and data breach resources. Each document is supported by an instructional video to help practices understand how to complete and use it.
Cristina Vaninni- Goodchild of CVGSolutions said “AI offers exciting possibilities for veterinary practices, but it’s not simply a case of plugging in a tool and getting started. Without the right checks, practices could be exposing personal data to unnecessary risk. We’re delighted to be collaborating with Training-Progress on this new AI training module to help veterinary teams understand the steps that they need to take before introducing these tools. It’s about giving practices the confidence to embrace innovation while keeping data protection at the heart of what they do.”
As AI continues to change the way veterinary practices work, understanding the associated data protection responsibilities is becoming an essential part of adopting new technology responsibly.
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