We want to state, unequivocally, that we believe that Artificial Intelligence cannot replace human beings in healthcare, and that any attempt to introduce AI or “Virtual Care Services” as a replacement for frontline workers at UVMMC will be resisted.

While UVMMC says that the companies they invited to a vendor hall recently were there to pitch replacements to outdated remote monitoring equipment, some of the vendors indicated that their other technologies can reduce FTEs in nursing. In other words, they admit that adoption of some of what they’re proposing could result in the loss of nursing, tech, and support staff jobs.

Healthcare must remain a human profession. Healthcare professionals are trained and equipped to make important decisions in the moment and, most importantly, in person. To take away that aspect of healthcare is to take the “care” out of “healthcare.”

Additionally, some of the products being pitched by these companies will be surveilling staff, patients and their families 24/7, which we believe poses ethical, regulatory, and security concerns. Who or what will be on the other end of the cameras constantly streaming patient interactions?

We, the nurses, techs, support staff of UVMMC, and the community members that the Hospital and Network serves, want to make it clear: Any attempt to introduce AI or other cost-saving tech as a replacement for healthcare workers is unacceptable. If these technologies are to be introduced, it must be in partnership with staff as tools, not as cheap replacements or as weapons to use against us.

We demand that any introduction of this technology be with full consent and inclusion of staff, and any attempt to replace us cease immediately.