National Survey on the Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) by Veterinary Surgeons
A new survey has been launched to explore how veterinary professionals are using Generative AI (GenAI) tools, and for what purposes, across the profession.
As GenAI becomes increasingly visible in everyday life and professional settings, the survey aims to build a clearer picture of current use in veterinary practice, from administrative support and client communication to education, CPD and information gathering.
The survey follows recent research involving veterinary students at the Universities of Edinburgh and Bristol, which found surprisingly low reported use of GenAI tools, with a median frequency of once a month or less. That study also identified a number of concerns, including environmental sustainability, the accuracy and trustworthiness of AI-generated information, data security and ethics, wider social impacts, and uncertainty about parameters of use in relation to academic misconduct. Students also highlighted a need for further training and support, particularly in relation to clinical applications and assessing the reliability of AI outputs.
Similar issues have been noted in wider healthcare research, where large language models have shown potential but also inconsistency, reinforcing the need for careful scrutiny, professional judgement and appropriate guidance on responsible use.
The research team is inviting veterinary professionals to take part in the survey and help ensure the findings reflect a broad and representative view of current practice. The results will be published and shared to inform discussion, support veterinary schools, and contribute to wider professional debate about the future role of GenAI in veterinary work.
The survey can be accessed here:
https://app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/edinburgh/use-of-genai-veterinary
The project has received permission to proceed from the R(D)SVS Ethics Committee, and all data will be processed in compliance with UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018.
Prof Susan Rhind, Dr Rob Kelly, Dr Ben Blacklock
The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and The Roslin Institute
Easter Bush Campus, Midlothian, EH25 9RG
Prof Sarah Baillie
Bristol Veterinary School, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Langford House, Langford, Bristol, BS40 5DU