SIPTU’s Health Division has warned that Artificial Intelligence (AI) must not be allowed to replace human judgement, safe staffing, or compassionate care in Ireland’s health service.
The Union’s largest division made the call following the publication by HIQA of Ireland’s first National Guidance on the Responsible and Safe Use of AI in Health and Social Care.
HIQA has stated that any new technology used in this safety-critical area must be deemed safe and trustworthy before use.
SIPTU said AI may help reduce paperwork, support diagnostics, and improve service planning, but only where it is introduced through proper consultation, strong safeguards and full accountability.
Kevin Figgis, SIPTU’s Health Divisional Organiser, said: “AI can have a positive role in healthcare, but only if it serves patients, supports workers and strengthens public services. It must never become a substitute for safe staffing, professional judgement, or the human connection at the heart of care.”
He added: “Healthcare is delivered by people, for people. Any AI system that affects patient care, staffing, rosters, supervision, accountability, or employment conditions must be negotiated with workers and their unions before it is introduced. AI must be negotiated, not imposed.”
Figgis said the debate on AI in healthcare cannot be reduced to efficiency or cost-saving. It is about patient safety, decent work, public accountability and the future of human-led care.
“We are not opposed to innovation. We are opposed to unsafe, unaccountable, or profit-driven technology being imposed on patients and workers,” Figgis said, adding: “AI should free up time for care, not remove the people who provide it.”