NIMDTA Helps Shape Engagement at Four-Nation AI Conference

It was fantastic to see Northern Ireland so well represented at today’s Four Nation AI Conference!

Mr Mark McCarey, Chief Executive, NIMDTA, provided the welcome address in partnership with Prof Karen Reid, Chief Executive, NHS Education for Scotland (NES) and highlighted that one of the unique strengths of the NHS is how we collaborate locally and nationally to turn ideas into meaningful change.

Brid Hendron, Postgraduate Dental Dean NIMDTA, then chaired the session ‘How AI has Enhanced Quality in Learning (Northern Ireland)' with presentations by:

Dr Gareth Lewis who gave an inspiring presentation on what we have learned so far from AI in Healthcare from a Northern Ireland context. He spoke about how AI is powerful and the impact it has already had on healthcare, mental health support and other industries such as the financial sector. He discussed practical recommendations regarding AI, but that ultimately pointed that AI is a mirror for the human experience.

Dr Nichola Booth, Senior Lecturer, School of Social Sciences, Education and Social Work, Queen’s University Belfast, NI who gave a presentation on ‘Virtually Intelligent Training & Adaptive Learning’ which showcased amazing technology that can create AI senario's for, Social Work visits, Legal issues associated with family visits and counselling/anxiety sessions. The technology can also be programmed to simulate classroom senario's for teachers educating children with various forms of autism.

Dr Mark Dornan, Lecturer in Nursing, Queen’s University Belfast, NI also delivered a highly engaging presentation titled ‘Embracing AI in Pharmacology Education’ where undergraduate nursing students created short patient cases and tested these using AI. The sessions produced lively debates in areas such as ethics and governance regarding AI, and also found that AI simulation improved pharmacology knowledge and confidence. The research reinforced that while AI can enhance safety and efficiency, professional judgement remains central.

To view the programme in full click here