An AOP explainer on... the AI and Technology resource hub

The idea was to create a basic resource where members can dip in and out during practice to find information. We wanted to ensure this would be a practical resource, approachable, and easy to use.

Through discussions with the AOP Council, it became clear that there was a need to address concerns around AI.

The AOP brought together an AI task group in October 2024. I was keen to have a mixture of optometrists who were not experts in AI, as well as those who knew the subject well, because I wanted to ensure we created resources that would speak to everybody.

I think a lot of the information for non-AI professionals can sound terrifying, or like a set of didactic and scary directives, which I think are going to make most people not engage and just remain frightened. My hope is that this demystifies and encourages people to engage with the concept more.

We arranged for experts in AI to speak to the AOP’s AI task group, and encouraged discussions to talk out member’s ideas and fears, then refined that down to agree on a set of outputs. The AOP team led on a draft of the resource, with insight and continuous feedback sought from the AI task group members.

The resource has an easily searchable glossary, frequently asked questions, and information on understanding what Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) approval means and what to look for.

We have also developed an optometrist checklist for AI technology use in professional capacities or clinical settings. This includes questions like: does it have approval? What is it intended for? We have also included some key takeaways and FAQs around understanding AI.

We are not experts in AI as an organisation, and I am certainly not an expert, and so I would like to keep the AI task group running in some guise moving forwards to continue updating the resource as the wider policy around AI changes and evolves.

Access the AOP’s AI and Technology resource hub online.