Can an algorithm decide who sees a doctor first — and what happens when it gets the call wrong?

The NHS is rolling out AI triage tools and ambient scribes across general practice, promising to shorten waiting lists and free up clinician time. In this episode of The Lancet Voice, host Niall Boyce and Chloe Wilson, senior editor at The Lancet, cast a questioning eye over the initiative.

Chloe raises concerns about AI triage — including the risk of downgrading seemingly innocuous but important symptoms — and questions whether AI in health care is adding efficiency, or simply cutting costs. The hosts also examine ambient scribes in the consulting room, discussing how AI scribes may change clinical practice, or even deskill physicians.

The issue isn't whether AI can help the NHS — it's whether we're asking it to do the right things, and if we are implementing it in the right way.

Let us know your thoughts in the comments!

The Lancet Voice is part of the Lancet Group podcast offering. 

Editorial team: Niall Boyce, Miriam Sabin, Jessamy Bagenal, Richard Horton, and Gavin Cleaver

Podcast editing: Matteo Simonetti

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