{"id":78418,"date":"2025-09-18T15:59:17","date_gmt":"2025-09-18T19:59:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/todaysveterinarybusiness.com\/?p=78418"},"modified":"2025-09-18T16:05:08","modified_gmt":"2025-09-18T20:05:08","slug":"veterinary-ai-governance-policy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarybusiness.com\/veterinary-ai-governance-policy\/","title":{"rendered":"You Can (and Really Should) Build Your Responsible AI Governance Policy From Scratch. Right Now."},"content":{"rendered":"

Veterinary professionals take responsibility seriously. Our careers hinge on having a license that tells the world we can be trusted with the medical care of animals. We work hard to safeguard the privilege of having it. It\u2019s not surprising that AI technology makes some veterinarians uneasy. How can we expect to split the workload of practicing medicine with an AI tool when we carry the liability for errors?<\/span><\/p>\n

Knowing all this, the industry\u2019s erstwhile silence on the topic of AI governance has been surprising. However, regulatory bodies and associations are finally stirring, and AI position statements are starting to trickle out (<\/span>RESOURCE 1<\/b><\/span>).<\/span><\/p>\n

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Resource 1: Regulatory AI Position Statements in Veterinary Medicine<\/b><\/p>\n

American Association for Veterinary State Boards: <\/b>This white paper<\/a> highlights that licensees must ensure patient care, client privacy, informed consent and compliance with legal and regulatory standards, outlining risks and calling for member organizations to provide further guidance.1<\/sup><\/p>\n

The Canadian Veterinary Medical Association: <\/b>This position statement<\/a> advocates for scientifically rigorous development and regulation of AI technologies in veterinary medicine to ensure patient safety, reduce liability and align with national standards and regional regulatory policies.2<\/sup><\/p>\n

The American College of Veterinary Radiology and European College of Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging: <\/b>This position statement<\/a> emphasizes that AI in veterinary diagnostic imaging must follow rigorous standards for transparency, validation, data security and expert oversight, advocating for evidence-based development, professional education, informed client communication and regulatory guidance to ensure AI enhances rather than compromises veterinary care.3<\/sup><\/p>\n

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While the new position statements provide some suggestions for appropriate AI use, it\u2019s left up to us to figure out how to apply that framework to day-to-day practice. Establishing a governance structure is nothing new. Think about how you approach the ordering, management, administration and prescription of drugs in your practice. Medications share much in common with AI technology. They can help, but also hurt. Sometimes, they do things that are unanticipated or outside of your control. They need careful management, oversight, communication and staff training to ensure appropriate handling. That\u2019s why we have a responsible drug governance system baked into the core of our day-to-day practice. <\/span><\/p>\n

We can do the same for AI tools. Responsible AI governance is the principle that organizations developing or using AI tools should assess their trustworthiness, evaluate potential risks or harms and take proactive steps to mitigate those harms. <\/span><\/p>\n

Steps to Design Your AI Governance Policy<\/h2>\n

Catalog your AI tools<\/h3>\n

Start by cataloging which AI tools you are already <\/span>using or are planning to use. Include veterinary-specific tools like scribes, diagnostic aids, scheduling aids, client chatbots, medical note summarizers and generative AI for discharge notes. Don\u2019t forget nonspecific tools like ChatGPT if members of your team are using it for any reason. Keep in mind that your diagnostic laboratory may also have embedded AI technology.<\/span><\/p>\n

Know the signs of trustworthy AI and identify the harms<\/h3>\n

To make a responsible AI governance policy, you need to know what trustworthy AI looks like. Luckily, the work has been done for us. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) outlines five principles that are characteristic of trustworthy AI systems.4<\/sup> Next, evaluate how well your AI tools follow the principles of trustworthy AI (<\/span>RESOURCE 2<\/b><\/span> and <\/span>CHECKLIST<\/b><\/span><\/a>). Where they don\u2019t follow the principles, you need to identify what kind of risk they may pose to your patients, staff and clients. Examples of risks include:<\/span><\/p>\n