AI cannot be an excuse to cut jobs, Unison warned today after it was announced that the technology is being piloted to help free up hospital beds.

A new tool is being trialled at Chelsea and Westminster NHS Trust which helps complete documents needed to discharge patients.

The technology extracts information from medical records, which helps medics to craft discharge summaries that must be completed before a person is sent home from hospital.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting said: “We’re using cutting-edge technology to build an NHS fit for the future and tackle the hospital backlogs that have left too many people waiting too long.

“Doctors will spend less time on paperwork and more time with patients, getting people home to their families faster and freeing up beds for those who need them most.”

The government also announced another AI tool, which helps probation officers transcribe and take notes in meetings with offenders after they leave prison.

The technology will be scaled to all 12,000 probation officers later this year.

Unison general secretary Christina McAnea said AI could help support staff and allow workers to concentrate on more demanding aspects of their jobs.

“But employers must use these tools responsibly. It cannot be an excuse to cut roles and replace people with tech,” she said.

“Many tasks in the NHS and probation should only be carried by people with the right skills and the correct training.”

Ms McAnea added that the new forms of AI “risk entrenching bias, validating inaccuracies and threatening privacy.

“It’s essential workers and unions are involved in the rollout of technology in public services to protect jobs and ensure existing inequalities aren’t further reinforced.”