Artificial intelligence (AI) is an area of computer science that makes it possible for ‘machines’ to learn from new experiences and perform human-like tasks.

The BAD believes that AI has the potential to improve clinical care in dermatology within appropriately regulated and governed use. The public must also have confidence that AI (and the health data which fuels the development of new algorithms) is being used safely, legally and ethically.  Patient pathways in dermatology are complex and to robustly evaluate AI interventions requires clinically led research studies.

The BAD AI Working Party Group of experts in AI has developed a BAD AI Position Statement and set out our BAD Vision Statement on AI to establish standards that define safe clinical practice and improve outcomes for people with skin disease

NICE Early Value Assessment (EVA): Artificial intelligence (AI) technologies for assessing and triaging skin lesions referred to the urgent suspected skin cancer pathway  

The NICE Early Value Assessment (EVA) outcome on ‘Artificial intelligence (AI) technologies for assessing and triaging skin lesions referred to the urgent suspected skin cancer pathway’ was published on 1 May 2025. Skin Analytics DERM tool is recognised as showing promise – a ‘signal of effectiveness’ – but further real-world evidence is required.

NICE recommends that the DERM tool can be used by NHS Trusts in a conditional, semi-autonomous manner and in the post-referral setting only, with the following caveats:

• Mandatory second-reads by a dermatologist for patients with black and brown skin tones.
• In conjunction with real-world and ongoing performance monitoring. Although the ultimate responsibility for data collection rests with Skin Analytics, the company behind DERM, careful diagnostic and effectiveness monitoring by clinicians is also required to feed into the data pool. This means that, for Trusts implementing DERM, time should be built into consultant job plans to perform this activity, and this needs to be made clear to Commissioners.
• Implementation of governance frameworks as identified in the NICE EVA final publication

Sites looking to implement DERM should join the AI in Dermatology GIRFT Community of Practice to learn from other sites with past or current experience with the tool. Please contact england.furtherfaster.girft@nhs.net to join.

With the initial implementation of DERM, a pilot period with mandatory second reads by a clinician is recommended. Local data can then be collected to cross-check and monitor diagnostic accuracy. Only then can an informed decision be made and agreed upon before moving DERM to autonomous use.

The NHS England has also published information on their response: NHS England » AI based skin lesion analysis technology

The BAD UK-wide AI Consortium (as a company-agnostic platform) is in its transitional phase to support safe and appropriate use of AI tools in dermatology.

If you have any specific questions or concerns about the NICE EVA resolution outcome, or other issues, please email: ai.dermatology@bad.org.uk