Southampton surgeon appointed as AI champion

Professor Tim Underwood has been selected for a national network promoting responsible artificial intelligence (AI) in health and social care.

Responsible AI UK (RAI UK) is building a network of AI advocates across the UK. They include Southampton’s Professor Tim Underwood.

This network will support the development of AI that improves patient care.

Prof Underwood is a Professor of Gastrointestinal Surgery at the University of Southampton. He also leads a research team at University Hospital Southampton.

Developing trust

RAI UK was launched last summer. It is a major international project to help develop responsible and trustworthy AI.

The leadership team includes Professor Dame Wendy Hall from the University of Southampton and NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre (BRC).

Its flagship initiative will ensure AI is effective and relevant to real world healthcare needs.

The new network brings together a multidisciplinary team of experts. They include clinicians, doctors, AI experts, social scientists, academics and ethicists.

Realising the benefits of AI

The selected champions were announced at the UK Research and Innovation AI in Health and Social Care Symposium. The event took place at the Royal Society in London last month.

“I’m excited to be appointed as the AI Champion for Southampton”, Prof Underwood said.

“This is recognition of the work that the Innovation for Translation Research Group, which I co-lead, has been doing over recent years. We have developed an AI tool to help streamline the Upper GI multi-disciplinary team decision-making process that is now ready for deployment.

“The AI Champion initiative aims to foster the development and deployment of AI across healthcare in a responsible and equitable way. This is vital if the full benefits of AI are to be realised in the NHS.

“I hope to work with like-minded researchers and clinicians in Southampton to drive the adoption of explainable and responsible AI in healthcare.”

Find out more about the AI Champions initiative here.