AI and Your Professional License: When Does “Not Using” Technology Become the Risk?

You don’t have to look far to find complex (and sometimes, heated) debates about the future of AI.

What was once limited to sci-fi movies and novelty applications is now mainstream, reaching across industries and interests. From retail and manufacturing to gaming, marketing, and personal fitness, you can find artificial intelligence at work in every aspect of our lives. But while AI can be an intriguing addition in many of these instances, it can also raise serious concerns when it changes the way licensed professionals do business.

After all, not everyone wants to use AI…

But as specific technologies evolve and mature, so do the benchmarks by which a related profession is measured. In medicine, for example, AI can analyze scans and X-rays to improve diagnostic capabilities. Law firms use it in research and case review, while accountants can use it for data analysis and tax preparation.

So what happens when a licensed professional decides not to adopt a technology that has been widely accepted as “the norm” by others in their field?

At some point, it’s no longer a question of whether the tool is safe to use. At some point, the question becomes “Is it reasonable not to?”

Having an experienced Professional License Defense Team can help you navigate this new landscape and defend your professional license. The LLF National Law Firm has years of experience working with nurses and doctors, engineers, social workers, financial planners, and a range of other professionals, and we can help you too. Call us today at 888-535-3686 or use our convenient online form to discuss your case and schedule a consultation.

How Standards of Care Evolve

While all licensed professionals are governed by Boards and statutes, a given profession can also evolve because of science, discovery, and technology. These influences can then begin to impact our tools and systems, our expectations, and our understanding of what best helps those we serve. Synthetic insulin was introduced in the 1970s, for instance, and the first insulin pen was launched in 1985, forever changing how we manage diabetes. Statins hit the market in 1987, while the first gene therapy trial emerged in 1990.

Where would we be now if those advancements hadn’t evolved our medical standard of care?

As these new treatments and technologies emerged, legislators and licensing boards acknowledged the benefits they offered and raised our expectations.

Was it reasonably prudent, they would ask, not to use these treatments when we know their potential to heal?

And while other professions might not bear the weight of such life-and-death stakes, this same general process applies across the board. Today’s technology is essential to a range of applications. We use it to improve fraud detection and safety protocols and learning opportunities. It helps us design safer, more efficient machinery, advance infrastructure, and optimize agriculture.

AI is most certainly the next step in that evolution, and while we’re certain to see missteps in all of these areas, it’s also reasonable to assume that AI will have a notable impact on how you approach your practice in the future. Choosing how to integrate this new technology (or not) could potentially put your professional license at risk.

From Marketing Advantage to Professional Expectation

This kind of transition doesn’t happen overnight. In fact, what you’ll likely notice first is a gradual lean toward the new technology, with early adopters claiming a professional edge. But as the technology becomes more accepted (and the results more reliable), professional best practices develop and governing guidance begins to take shape.

It’s not long before you see updated training opportunities that incorporate the new technology and professional organizations encouraging its use. Eventually, the lack of adoption can be seen as a liability, and for a licensed professional, this can create serious situations.

Imagine complaints where it isn’t your expertise or skill that’s in question, but whether using a new tool could have prevented an error, identified a risk, or otherwise improved the quality of service or care. This isn’t to suggest that AI will replace your professional judgment, but you may be expected to use the technology to enhance and support your practice or trade.

When that moment arrives, knowing how to move forward while protecting your professional standing can get tricky.

We can help.

If you find yourself having to defend your license against an existing accusation, or you’d like to discuss a potential risk that has you concerned, we’re a call away. The LLF National Law Firm has the experience and knowledge to navigate the disciplinary process and achieve the best possible outcome. Our Professional License Defense Team works with a range of licensed professionals across the country, and we can help you present your best case. Call us today at 888-535-3686 or use our online form to schedule a consultation.