One year on from my previous post on AI: I am still curious and excited. No doubt there has been progress over the past year! I still feel optimistic about the use of AI but also with the same concerns and caveats as before.
I am re-posting the 2025 post (see link below) because I think it is relevant and I hope it is useful to others.
Just to add a few further thoughts for 2026 here:
We need to keep an eye on who is using AI? What is working well?
There will be potential to cut costs and reduce timelines in projects and services. However, ask the questions – are ‘clients’ or individuals fully aware and in agreement before you proceed to use their data or personal information in ways involving AI?
I think we need to continue to think about our own relationships with AI.
It is important for students to become familiar with AI and proficient in use of appropriate tools as part of their education. Educators should equip students and youth with knowledge and skills to prepare them for future work and careers. It is also important to ensure awareness of potential issues and regulations in place now and to come. There are concerns about potential negative effects of AI particularly on young people, their development, and their relationships.
Nonetheless, these are interesting and exciting times! As we start 2026, I applaud the debates, discussion, curiosity and experimentation in the past year.
Reflecting on what I said this time last year (see link below) my current message is consistent. However, I do think some people as I have warned may be just ´jumping on bandwagons for fear of missing out’. Perhaps we should all take time to slow down and think sometimes.
In 2025 and into 2026 we seem to be seeing more AI in our physical world for example in androids, robotics, and drones. It looks fascinating and exciting but at the same time I think it’s somewhat scary.
May the healthy discussions and debates continue! We should continue to proceed with eyes wide open – asking questions such as: Where is all this heading? What do we really want? What do we really need? What do we not want? Is AI ‘serving or enslaving’?
I don’t want to be a ‘party pooper” and spoil the mood but some promises have not lived up to the hype and expectations. In some cases, the feedback reports could read ‘tried hard but could do better.’
On the other hand, it is good that new opportunities are being explored.
I’m all for creativity and progress but I also support the need for ethics, transparency, and wisdom. There is an argument that excessive regulation should not stifle progress. However, I think regulation is a necessary safeguard.
by Dr Julie Charlesworth 28/01/2026
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N.B.
Just to reiterate that the applications and potential use of AI are impressive for clinical and medical research. AI can facilitate research and management of large amounts of data rapidly and efficiently.
Progress is being made in its use for example in the areas of diagnosis, drug development and personalised medicine.
AI may help to reveal patterns than are otherwise difficult to discern.
Previous 2025 post here
[AI is not my area of expertise, but I am grateful to have learned about this, received some early insights about and posted on the subject generally through participation in the EuroScience Open Forum over several years. I am also thankful to have connections with AI expertise who share their thoughts in posts enabling others to keep up with what’s happening out there in the world.}