In today's world, with technology advancing at a lightning pace, there is a growing temptation to tackle complex problems directly with artificial intelligence (AI). This is tempting, but problematic.
This trend is visible not only in the commercial sector but also in government projects, such as in the healthcare sector in both the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Both governments have announced plans to use AI to reduce the administrative burden in healthcare. While this seems like a logical choice at first glance, it also carries risks, especially if the underlying problems are not well understood.
AI in Dutch healthcare
The Dutch government wants to drastically reduce the administrative burden on healthcare providers (Dutch). This step is much needed, as healthcare providers are often overburdened by bureaucratic work, at the expense of the time and energy they can devote to patient care.
The coalition program presents AI as a means of cutting this burden in half, but this begs the question: is the administrative problem purely a matter of unnecessary paperwork or does it lie deeper? If AI is applied without analyzing and optimizing processes, it can lead to automated inefficiencies. In other words, a bad system remains bad even if it is automated.
It is essential to first review the structures and processes that create the bureaucracy. Often the cause of administrative pressure lies in regulatory complexity and lack of coordination between different agencies. Only when these problems are thoroughly addressed can AI make a valuable contribution to easing these burdens.
The English approach and parallels
As in the Netherlands, the British government also plans to use AI to streamline bureaucratic processes, such as in healthcare. However, here too the risks are clear. In addition to using AI for administrative purposes, the British government is considering legal changes to regulate AI deployment. This is particularly important in light of ethical issues surrounding copyright and the protection of human labor.
These similarities between the Dutch and British plans show that AI is seen worldwide as a solution to bureaucratic problems. Yet the British approach also shows that we should be cautious about too rapid technological applications. The U.K. understands that regulatory and ethical issues must be carefully studied before AI can be used effectively.
Technology without understanding: a dangerous combination
The recurring problem is that technology such as AI is often seen as a panacea for problems that are mostly not of a purely technological nature. Automating processes without improving them first not only creates the opportunity for new problems, but can also deepen existing ones. AI can offer great solutions, but only when it is deployed in the right way and when there is a good understanding of the problem one wants to solve.
What governments, such as those of the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, need to consider is that AI is not a substitute for fundamental redesign of processes. Administrative burden is often a symptom of inefficiencies in system design and regulation, not just a lack of technological support. Focusing on technology as a primary solution may leave the real causes of the problems unresolved.
Responsibility in AI use
Another important issue that is often forgotten is the ethical responsibility that comes with the deployment of AI. This is true both in the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, where the question arises: how do we protect workers and their rights as machines take over more and more tasks? This issue is discussed in The Times article, which argues that new legislation may be needed to regulate the effects of AI on copyright and labor. In the healthcare sector, it is not just about making administrative processes more efficient, but also about how we keep humans at the center of an increasingly digital world.
Consider before you begin (with AI)
In both the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, we see governments looking to use AI to reduce administrative burdens. While this may seem like an attractive solution at first glance, it is essential to understand that AI is not a panacea. Without thorough analysis of the root of the problem, AI can do more harm than good. Governments must not only embrace technology, but also ensure that the underlying processes and structures are reviewed first. Only when the right foundation is laid can AI contribute effectively and responsibly to improving complex systems such as healthcare.
The future of AI in healthcare, both in the Netherlands and the UK, will depend on policymakers taking the time to truly understand problems before reaching for technological solutions. Only through a deep understanding of the challenges can we fully utilise technology for the common good.
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