Citizen Science in Health Research in the Age of AI: Applications, Benefits and Risks

Library Blue Room

The introduction of AI has also found its way within the patient and public involvement (PPI) domain, a type of citizen science within the context of health research. PPI is a partnership where the lived experience of people is meaningfully incorporated throughout the research cycle.  Initial examples where AI has been incorporated in the process of PPI are showing up, such as generative AI translating research findings into accessible lay summaries for non-academic audiences, innovative approaches to PPI panels or the introduction of AI-generated personas. Case studies are often still experimental and local.  The ‘hype’ around AI and perceived urge to make use of it can also make it difficult to take a step back and reflect on all the developments; both the positives and the negatives. 

Tilburg University and the NIHR School for Primary Care Research, in collaboration with the charity Mind, are currently conducting a qualitative research study looking into the applications, benefits and risks of AI in the context of PPI. The study looks at both the Netherlands and the United Kingdom to tap into a wealth of expertise and perspectives from both academics, people with lived experience and involvement professionals. During this session you will learn about the preliminary findings of the research and participate in an interactive activity, developed through gamification of the research findings, to help you reflect on the impact of AI on citizen science.

We want participants to walk away with new insights, whenther from the research presented, the perspectives of other participants or their own personal reflection, on  examples of AI and its impact on citizen science. For the project we want to gain feedback on developing an interactive activity to stimulate this reflection process and input in what type of outputs we should focus on to share the definitive research findings

In recent years, artificial intelligence (AI) has rapidly transformed healthcare and research. The introduction of AI has also found its way within the patient and public involvement (PPI) domain, a type of citizen science within the context of health research. PPI is a partnership where the lived experience of people is meaningfully incorporated throughout the research cycle.  Initial examples where AI has been incorporated in the process of PPI are showing up, such as generative AI translating research findings into accessible lay summaries for non-academic audiences, innovative approaches to PPI panels or the introduction of AI-generated personas. Case studies are often still experimental and local.  

The ‘hype’ around AI and perceived urge to make use of it can also make it difficult to take a step back and reflect on all the developments; both the positives and the negatives. Tilburg University and the NIHR School for Primary Care Research, in collaboration with the charity Mind, are currently conducting a qualitative research study looking into the applications, benefits and risks of AI in the context of PPI. 

The study looks at both the Netherlands and the United Kingdom to tap into a wealth of expertise and perspectives from both academics, people with lived experience and involvement professionals. During this session you will learn about the preliminary findings of the research and participate in an interactive activity, developed through gamification of the research findings, to help you reflect on the impact of AI on citizen science.