The Four Nations Conference brought together 1,469 participants from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland for a day of deep exploration into the future of AI in healthcare education. Across 14 sessions (including keynotes, case studies and panels) attendees engaged with national leaders, educators, innovators and practitioners, sharing practical experiences and strategic visions.
Key Themes
AI Literacy and Upskilling
A strong emphasis was placed on building foundational AI knowledge for all healthcare staff. Wales’ Foundations in AI module and Microsoft’s M365 Copilot training were highlighted as scalable models for upskilling. Speakers stressed the need for tailored, role-specific learning and support for those less confident with emerging technologies.
Responsible and Ethical AI
Sessions repeatedly addressed ethical challenges such as data privacy, bias, transparency and governance. The SAFE framework (Source, Algorithm, Fit, Ethics) emerged as a practical tool for evaluating AI solutions, alongside calls for critical thinking and human oversight.
Practical Applications
Case studies showcased AI-powered simulation for communication skills, language and dialect diversity, and AR/VR for suicide prevention training. Tools like Microsoft Copilot and the VITAL platform demonstrated how AI can streamline administrative tasks, enhance learning and create realistic, emotionally relevant training environments.
Assessment and Academic Integrity
The impact of AI on assessment was a recurring concern, with discussions on academic integrity, automation bias and redesigning assessments to prioritise clinical reasoning and authentic, in-person evaluation. AI’s potential to support international medical graduates and standardise feedback was also explored.
Collaboration and Diversity
The conference celebrated cross-nation collaboration, with each country sharing unique approaches and resources. There was a clear call to increase gender and ethnic diversity in AI development and ensure tools reflect the full spectrum of patient and workforce needs.
Concerns and Insights
The conference highlighted several significant concerns and insights regarding the integration of AI in healthcare education. Delegates expressed apprehension about the potential for AI to reinforce existing biases and widen health inequalities if not managed appropriately, emphasising the importance of using diverse datasets and ensuring algorithmic transparency. Additionally, there were warnings about the danger of over-reliance on AI, which could undermine critical thinking skills among both educators and clinicians. Environmental considerations were also brought to the fore, with participants noting the substantial ecological footprint of large-scale AI implementation and calling for future strategies to prioritise sustainability. Above all, the enduring value of authentic human connection in both education and patient care was a recurring theme, with consensus that AI should serve to augment, rather than replace, human judgement and empathy.
Looking Ahead
Recordings of all sessions will be released soon, with updates sent to registrants and details posted on the conference site. Attendees are encouraged to continue sharing insights and best practices. The day closed with a commitment to ongoing collaboration and supporting the responsible, inclusive adoption of AI in healthcare education across the UK.
