Advances in robotics and health tech

Two surgeons in an operating room. The surgeon closer to the camera is holding a small robotic device. In 2008, a state-of-the-art robotic arm was used in an operation at St Mary’s Hospital in London.

Designed to treat patients for fast or irregular heartbeats, the Sensei robot worked by inserting several fine wires into a vein in the groin, which were then guided towards to the heart. Upon arrival, they delivered an electric current to specific parts of the heart muscle. The whole process was controlled by cardiologists using a joystick.

It allowed doctors to reduce clinical risks for patients and increase the number of operations they could carry out. It opened our eyes to the potential of robots and AI to develop new ways to treat patients and save lives.

But it also expanded our awareness that such innovations would need to use more of our sensitive health information to develop and train these machines.

The Information Commissioner’s Office has offered advice and guidance around how people’s information can be used responsibly in life-changing new technology such as genomics, neurotechnologies and personalised AI. Central to this is asking whether people are aware of how their information is being used, and ensuring genuine consent is provided.