Implementing AI in Radiotherapy: Insights From the Healthcare Professions

The potential for artificial intelligence (AI) to transform healthcare has been of growing academic, policy and professional interest. Various studies have reported on the perceptions of the potential for AI in healthcare. However, fewer studies have examined the lived experiences that healthcare professionals (HCPs) have with the use of AI tools. One area where AI has been implemented is in the auto-contouring of organs-at-risk (OAR) for cancer treatment. In this study, we interviewed 32 HCPs involved in cancer treatment using these AI tools, across five different regional cancer centres in England. In contrast to studies that explore professionals' perceptions of the future possibilities of AI-which often focus on fear and concern-our respondents report very positive experiences. We find that the AI tools offer opportunities to enhance their professional autonomy by re-focusing, on what they consider to be more expert activities. Our findings reveal the enduring value of insights from the sociology of the professions in the age of AI, and evidence the importance of a partial discard of tasks. They also show the relevance for emerging sociologies of AI to appreciate both the particularities of the AI tools in use, and the professions and practices at work.