Artificial intelligence in the veterinary profession. Part 1: common misconceptions, key benefits and creating a policy

You're halfway through evening consults. Two staff members are down with flu, three extra appointments are squeezed into your list and your last consult overran because you were still writing up the one before. A nurse pops their head round the door: ‘A client is asking why we don't have the same artificial intelligence (AI) triage app their friend's practice uses…’ So what can you take from this? AI is no longer something that might arrive ‘one day’. It is already in your clients' pockets, in your practice management system's roadmap and in the inboxes of your over‐stretched team. This article is written for veterinary leaders who want to make AI work for their team, rather than let it take over. It covers what AI can realistically do for veterinary practice; how it can support staffing and reduce burnout; the most common misconceptions to watch out for; and a practical framework to start building your own practice AI policy. The aim is that you can take this article to your next partners' or management meeting and walk out with an agreed first draft of ‘how we do AI here’.