In 2024, IPPOSI ran a Citizens’ Jury on AI in healthcare. Over 12 weeks, 24 diverse jurors examined expert evidence and ethical issues, producing 25 policy recommendations to guide national policy on AI in healthcare.
Background of Citizens' Jury
This Citizens’ Jury was organised by IPPOSI (Irish Platform for Patient Organisations, Science and Industry) as the third in a series of deliberative processes on complex health topics. It ran from September to December 2024 and explored whether Ireland should increase the use of AI in healthcare. It built on previous juries (Access to Health Information in 2021 and Genomics in 2022) and was designed to inform national policy, particularly in the context of the EU AI Act and Ireland’s National AI Strategy.
Structure of the Convention
The process unfolded in three phases:
- Inquiry: Jurors attended online sessions and heard testimony from expert witnesses across healthcare, ethics, tech, and patient advocacy.
- Deliberation: Jurors met in-person over a weekend in November to develop and refine policy recommendations.
- Verdict: Jurors voted on 25 recommendations and a list of shared values, which were compiled into a report and an open letter to government ministers.
Membership selection
From over 500 expressions of interest and 371 detailed applications, 24 jurors were randomly selected through an independent, representative process using CSO census data to ensure diversity in gender, age, location, ethnicity, and education.
Governance
An independent Oversight Panel composed of experts in healthcare, academia, digital policy, patient advocacy, and ethics oversaw the process. IPPOSI handled administration and coordination, while an independent facilitation team led the sessions and deliberations.
Structure of plenary session
The jury included six online sessions with expert presentations, followed by an in-person weekend in Tallaght, which involved reviewing priorities, drafting recommendations in small groups, and full plenary discussions to refine and vote on proposals.
Jurors received preparatory materials, participated in guided discussions with facilitators, and deliberated in breakout and plenary formats. The weekend deliberation yielded 19 recommendations, with 6 more finalised via online voting in December. A final online session was held to endorse the report and values.
The topics and questions were informed by extensive prior consultations with IPPOSI members, stakeholders, and past jury participants.
Voting and ballots
Recommendations were voted on using a five-point scale: “Love it, Like it, Live with it, Lament it, Loathe it.” A supermajority (≥80%) of jurors had to vote “Love it,” “Like it,” or “Live with it” for a recommendation to pass. Voting occurred in person and online, depending on the phase.
Recommendation and Government response
The jurors made 25 policy recommendations including:
- Establishing a statutory AI regulator for healthcare;
- Creating a national strategy on AI in healthcare by 2026;
- Ensuring equitable access and human oversight;
- Prioritising data security, transparency, and workforce training;
- Investing in inter-operable digital infrastructure and public awareness campaigns.
Government response
As of February 2025, the government response was pending. The jurors sent an open letter to the Ministers for Health and Enterprise requesting engagement, which was delivered on February 21st, 2025.
