We’re living through a time of remarkable change in healthcare, and AI is at the forefront of that transformation.

From tools that help streamline documentation to systems that can support clinical decision‑making, AI is emerging as one of the most significant technological shifts in modern healthcare.

The Standards for general practices (6th edition) acknowledges this change and formally embeds AI‑specific criteria to support practices that choose to adopt AI technologies. Whether a practice is already using AI, is considering it, or is not planning to adopt it at all, the Standards provide a clear, safety‑focused framework for this rapidly developing area.

Why AI now features in the Standards

AI is already present in day‑to‑day workflows across healthcare. In general practice, AI systems may:

• generate draft clinical notes during consultations
• support triage or administrative processes
• assist with pattern recognition in imaging or diagnostics
• enhance patient communication platforms
• help identify care gaps or risk factors through data analysis.

With these possibilities come new responsibilities. The Standards respond to this by ensuring that, when AI is used, it is safe, ethical and aligned with existing professional obligations. AI is not treated as a replacement for clinical expertise; rather, it is recognised as a tool that may support it – when used thoughtfully and with appropriate guardrails.

A framework that supports safe, transparent adoption

The AI criteria in the sixth edition centre on one core principle: if a practice uses AI, patients remain safe, informed and supported by clinicians who retain full responsibility for their care.

The Standards emphasise that practices using AI:

• seek informed patient consent, ensuring people understand when their information may be processed by AI tools
• prioritise privacy and data protection, including de‑identification where appropriate
• maintain clinical oversight, with practitioners reviewing and validating AI‑generated outputs
• establish governance, so that risks are identified, monitored and addressed
• evaluate the impact of AI tools, including their safety, performance and appropriateness over time.

These requirements help practices navigate an area where technology evolves quickly and where transparency and accountability are critical.

Supporting practices in practical, achievable ways

While the Standards set expectations, they also recognise the diversity of general practice. A small practice, a multi‑site service, and a large group practice may all approach AI differently. The framework supports safe use without prescribing a particular model.

In real terms, this might involve:

• documenting how an AI scribe integrates into existing workflows
• updating the practice’s consent process to cover AI‑supported tools
• training the team to recognise when AI outputs need to be corrected
• checking whether an AI system claims medical device status and confirming its TGA requirements
• monitoring patient feedback about AI‑supported interactions
• reviewing whether vulnerable groups may be disproportionately affected by an AI tool.

These are straightforward, meaningful steps that help ensure AI enhances care rather than complicating it.

Keeping human judgement at the centre

AI can support efficiency and improve access to information, but it cannot replicate the clinical reasoning, contextual understanding or person‑centred care that GPs and practice teams provide. The Standards reinforce that:

• clinical decision‑making always remains with the practitioner
• AI outputs are aids, not answers
• patient safety, privacy and autonomy remain paramount.

By embedding these principles, the Standards ensure AI is implemented in a way that strengthens, not replaces, the trusted clinician-patient relationship.

Looking ahead

AI will continue to evolve, and so will its applications in general practice. The sixth edition Standards position practices to navigate this shift responsibly, recognising both the opportunities and the need for caution. They provide a stable, ethically grounded foundation that adapts to emerging technologies without assuming that all practices will move at the same pace.

The RACGP continues to support practices with guidance, resources and position statements to help integrate AI tools safely and effectively. As the technology develops, so too will the College’s support.