Explore

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The Explore pathway is for everyone working in health and social care, irrespective of role. This pathway introduces artificial intelligence (AI) and covers what AI is, how it is used and some of the key AI language.

Step 1 - What is Artificial Intelligence (AI)?
Question 
You may be hearing the terms ‘artificial intelligence’ or ‘AI’ used more frequently, often described as the next big thing when it comes to digital. What do you think AI is?
Read 

Have a look at this definition of AI as outlined in Scotland’s AI Strategy.

Link: What is AI? — Scotland's AI Strategy

Scotland AI strategy Document Front Cover
Step 2 - AI in Everyday Life
Question
You may already be using tools, apps and systems that use AI across different areas of your life. What examples can you think of?
An illustration of a hand holding a phone with a padlock icon on it.
Question

This video highlights some common uses of AI that you might recognise.

Link: Introduction to AI - National Digital Inclusion Network

Question
Reflecting on your own examples, and those included in the video, how do you feel about how AI is used in your everyday tasks? Are you keen to embrace it? Does it worry you in any way?
Step 3 - AI Jargon
Read 

AI has brought with it a whole new list of technical terms. You don’t need to understand all of these fully, but it may be helpful to find out more about the jargon that you hear more regularly, for example, ‘generative AI’ or ‘deepfake’. Use this helpful jargon buster to check your understanding of any terms you’re not sure about.

Link: Scottish AI Playbook AI Jargon Buster

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Question 
Did any of the definitions surprise you? Do you think you could explain these definitions to colleagues or friends?
Step 4 - How does AI work?
Read 

As AI becomes prominent in our lives, it’s important to understand how it works so that you can decide how and when to engage with AI tools. This guide explains how AI learns using the examples like chatbots and self-driving cars.

Link:  What is AI? A simple guide to help you understand artificial intelligence - BBC News

Question 

Has this guide changed your understanding of AI? What are your initial thoughts on what you have read? 

The guide may have prompted more questions (which is ok), make a note of these and think about how you can find out the answers.

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Step 5 - AI in Health and Social Care
Read 

You may have seen media headlines about the types of innovation that AI could bring to our health and social care services, however it’s important to be aware of the evidence supporting these opportunities and understand what needs to be in place for AI to be trusted. This webpage hosts a collection of evidence- based examples of AI in healthcare. 

Link: AI in Healthcare - 10 Promising Interventions

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Question 

As a health and social care professional, have you already come across AI as part of your working life? 

How has it affected what you do and what would help you to become more confident in explaining how AI is used in the workplace?

Step 6 - AI Quiz
Quiz

This short quiz may  challenge your perceptions of AI and address some of the common myths associated with it’s use. 

Link: AI quiz: Can you tell which person is real? - BBC News

Questions

How do you feel about your results? Were there any answers that surprised you? 

What action do you want to take to increase your understanding of how AI is used and could be used in your workplace?

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What next?

You have now completed the Explore pathway. 

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To share any comments or questions you have about the pathway please email nes.dew@nhs.scot. You can also let us know if any of the links aren’t working, or the resources aren’t available.

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