We’re all hearing a lot about AI at the moment. It’s always exciting when new technologies arrive that can save us time and have the potential to help us to achieve new things. But it’s important we are mindful of the risks when adopting any new technology.
There are a number of widely available AI tools such as ChatGPT and Gemini. However, it’s important to understand that these are “open” models, where any data fed into them becomes part of a globally available learning dataset, no longer under the control of whoever fed in that data. So it is not suitable to use such models for any HCPC data.
HCPC’s Information Technology Policy (November 2023) sets out the responsibilities of employees, Council members, contractors and partners. This includes a responsibility to keep any HCPC data you have been given access to fully confidential.
Using an open AI tool such as ChatGPT or Gemini for HCPC data would be a breach of the IT policy as the data is no longer confidential once submitted to these systems. The policy also stipulates that no-one should procure new IT systems (including where no cost is involved) for processing HCPC data without prior approval from the IT and Digital department.
At HCPC we’ll be running a number of AI pilots over the coming months. These pilots will be carefully designed to include safeguards to protect HCPC’s data and cyber security.
If you have ideas for how AI could help with the work you do for the HCPC, we’d love to hear from you.