Reporting the use of AI in horizon scanning: a brief communication on methodological standards

The UK is being positioned to become a leader in the field of artificial intelligence (AI), with the government driving the AI Opportunities Action Plan. In line with the government's push for an AI-driven future, horizon-scanning organizations are leveraging AI and embedding it within their methodological practices. To ensure the transparent, reliable, and responsible use of AI, horizon scanning requires a set of tailored reporting items. However, this is a notable gap in the current methodological landscape.

This methods communication discusses the current guidelines, policies, and statements around the use of AI relevant to futures and foresight research for health, social care, and life sciences policy and practice. We include stakeholder positions, research funding applications and writing for publication within the discussion and demonstrate how these guidelines relate to horizon scanning practices, with a focus on the common recommendations for reporting AI.

We have utilized the documents to identify and consolidate reporting recommendations into a minimal set of reporting items for AI in horizon scanning. A total of 139 data points were consolidated into 46 reporting items under six categories.

Further work is needed to validate these reporting items, but this interim step toward a robust reporting framework fills an immediate methodological need. We encourage those working in the horizon scanning space to continue to explore and embed AI transparently and responsibly in this rapidly adapting field.