HIQA has just launched a public consultation on AI in healthcare – and they’ve done their homework.
The Health Information and Quality Authority published a 115-page evidence review last week, laying out exactly how Ireland plans to handle AI in health and social care services. It’s a detailed framework covering everything from who’s responsible when AI gets it wrong to making sure technology doesn’t replace the human side of care.
HIQA has called for public submissions on national guidance for what they’re calling the “responsible and safe use of AI” in health and social care.
The timing matters. The EU AI Act is now in force, and many healthcare AI applications fall into the “high risk” category – meaning they need serious oversight. Ireland isn’t waiting around. The Department of Health, the HSE, and HIQA are working together on a system-wide approach, and this consultation is a key part of that.
HIQA reviewed 55 international sources – academic research, regulatory frameworks, guidance from bodies like the WHO and OECD – and distilled them into 12 themes. These themes will shape the national guidance.
1. Transparency
If AI is involved in your care, you should know about it. This covers explainability – can the system explain why it made a particular recommendation? It also covers traceability – can you follow the logic? The guidance calls for auditable AI systems and clear information for patients.
2. Inclusivity and non-discrimination
AI systems learn from data, and if that data isn’t representative, the outputs will be biased. This theme addresses the risk of AI discriminating against already vulnerable groups. The recommendation: use representative data, make systems accessible, and critically analyse what AI produces rather than accepting it blindly.
3. Privacy
Healthcare data is sensitive. This theme reinforces compliance with privacy laws and secure data storage. Nothing revolutionary, but it’s foundational.
4. Human agency and oversight
This is the big one for me. Humans must remain in control. The guidance emphasises regular auditing and human validation of AI outputs. AI supports decisions – it doesn’t make them.
5. Responsibility
When AI is involved in care, and something goes wrong, who’s accountable? This theme tackles that head-on. It calls for clarity on individual and organisational responsibilities, accessible redress mechanisms, and human oversight at every stage.
6. Upholding people’s rights
AI systems must respect human rights, including autonomy. If you have preferences about how AI is used in your care, those should be respected. The guidance recommends considering individual needs and personal preferences – not treating AI deployment as one-size-fits-all.
7. Safe care
The duty to do no harm applies to AI just as it does to any other intervention. This theme covers validation of AI systems before deployment, adherence to regulatory standards, and mitigation of both physical and mental harm. It also acknowledges that AI introduces novel safety considerations that healthcare hasn’t dealt with before.
8. Integration into care
AI shouldn’t be bolted on. It needs to fit into existing systems, add genuine value, and improve outcomes. Interoperability is key – AI tools need to work with current clinical workflows, not against them. There’s also a nod to environmental sustainability here.
9. Education, training, development, and information provision
Staff need to know how to use AI tools properly. Patients need to understand what’s happening with their care. This theme calls for continuous professional education and AI literacy for everyone involved – providers and patients alike.
10. Data quality
AI is only as good as the data it’s trained on. This theme emphasises consistent, standardised, accurate, complete, and reliable data. It also connects to privacy and cybersecurity requirements. Poor data in, poor decisions out.
11. Technical robustness and security
AI systems need to be secure against breaches, attacks, and interference. They also need to perform reliably under varying conditions. The guidance recommends secure data storage and contingency planning – because systems fail, and healthcare can’t stop when they do.
12. Human connection
This is where HIQA distinguishes itself from purely technical frameworks. Care is fundamentally about human relationships. AI should support that, not diminish it. The guidance calls for person-centred values and involving patients in decisions about how AI is used in their care.
HIQA is asking for your input. If you work in healthcare, if you develop AI tools, if you’re a patient who’ll be affected by these systems – this is your chance to shape the guidance
📚 Want to master AI for your organisation? Get my book, AI Marketing Playbook – practical strategies you can implement today.
📰 Stay informed weekly: Subscribe to Human in the Loop, my LinkedIn Newsletter for AI insights that matter.
🎓 Go deeper: The AI Playbook Diploma is CPD Accredited and gives you the structured learning to truly understand, use, and govern AI.
📞 Do you want to talk about custom in-house training or building your own AI solutions? Book a call at digitaltraining.ie or publicsectormarketingpros.com
About the Podcast Host
AI and Communications Specialist | Author | Podcaster | International Speaker
Joanne Sweeney is a recognised leader in digital marketing and digital transformation, specialising in the practical application of AI to enhance communication strategies. The founder of Digital Training Institute, Joanne, empowers leaders and communications professionals to leverage AI responsibly and effectively, ensuring transparency, trust, and tangible results.
She completed the Harvard Kennedy School Executive Programme in AI and Public Policy this summer before launching her fourth book AI Playbook, in September. Joanne has also published two editions of Public Sector Marketing Pro, which were preceded by her first title, Social Media Under Investigation Law Enforcement and the Social Web.
Her books have become go-to resources for governments, public sector and policing agencies, as well as marketing and communications professionals, all navigating the challenges of the changing Internet.
Joanne is the host of the AI SIX Podcast, a daily six-minute podcast that provides actionable insights, expert interviews, and practical advice to help professionals navigate the new world of work.
