Clinical Oncology Artificial Intelligence Advisory Committee

Overall purpose

To provide advice and guidance to the RCR on AI matters relevant to Clinical Oncology, in support of the RCR’s strategic priorities.  

Responsibilities

1. The CO AI Advisory Committee (CO AIAC) will advise the RCR on: 

• Scope - those areas of work in AI relevant to Clinical Oncology that the RCR should undertake and those it should only advise on 
• Implementation - how best to deliver AI work that the RCR undertakes itself 
• Funding - how to ensure this work can be as self-funding as possible
• Collaboration – identification of those external organisations, people, initiatives, funding, AI technology advances and opportunities relevant to Clinical Oncology with which the RCR should collaborate 
• Policy – the areas of AI in Clinical Oncology on which the RCR should develop a policy position  
• Influencing - how best to influence the national AI agenda in Clinical Oncology to ensure the views of the RCR are heard
• Any other areas at the request of the CO Faculty Leadership Team 

Sub-committees

2. With the agreement of the CO Faculty Leadership Team, the CO AIAC may establish time-limited working groups to carry out short-term projects, subject to available resources.  

3. The CO AIAC must ensure that each such working group has clear terms of reference setting out its role, function, time-limit, and membership.  

Membership

4. There will be up to twelve appointed members with interest, experience, and expertise relevant to the responsibilities set out in paragraph 1. 

5. Appointed members will all be members or Fellows in good standing of the Faculty of Clinical Oncology, resident in the UK and in active clinical practice at the time of their appointment. 

6. Appointed members will serve for terms of up to three years. Their appointment may be extended by exception for one further term of up to three years by agreement of the Co-Chairs. 

7. Ex-officio members are: 

• the President
• the Vice-President, Clinical Oncology 
• the CO AI Lead  

8. Co-opted members will be invited to join the committee as decided by RCR Vice-President CO. There shall be no more than three co-opted members, one of whom will be drawn from the Department of Health and Social Care, NHS England or a devolved-nation equivalent, one from therapeutic radiography and one from medical physics. Co-opted members will serve a term of up to three years. Their appointment may be extended by exception for one further term of up to three years by agreement with the Co-Chairs. 

9. All members of the CO AIAC shall cease to hold office if they fail to attend two consecutive meetings without providing an explanation which the Co-Chairs consider satisfactory. 

Chair

10. The CO AIAC will be co-chaired by the RCR Vice President CO and the CO AI Lead Advisor.  

11. The duties of the co-Chairs include:

• Chairing all meetings
• Ensuring the purpose and terms of reference are observed
• Engaging all members of the CO AIAC in the work of the committee 
• Ensuring regular reports are made to the CO Faculty Leadership Team
• Ensuring that the CR AIAC is appropriately consulted or involved on matters that affect both specialties 

Operation

12. The CO AIAC will usually meet not more than three times per year, on dates to be agreed, unless exceptionally required to transact urgent business. 

13. Meetings may be held by in person or by remote attendance.

14. CO AIAC members may be called upon to consider or determine matters electronically between meetings and are expected to contribute to such considerations or decisions as part of their duties as committee members. 

15. CO AIAC members must not speak on behalf of the College unless authorised to do so. 

16. CO AIAC members must abide by any stated or implied confidentiality that attaches to the work of the Committee during and after any period of membership.  

17. CO AIAC members must comply with the provisions of the Data Protection Act 2018 as regards processing (as defined in the Act) of any personal data where these are made available to them as part of their work. 

18. Only ex-officio and appointed members are eligible to vote. Co-opted members are not eligible to vote. 

19. CO AIAC members are required to read the agenda and papers in advance of all meetings to determine if they have a conflict of interest (or there might be a perception of such a conflict of interest) on any of the items. If this is the case, or if there is any doubt, they must advise the co-Chairs as soon as possible. 

20. At meetings of the CO AIAC, one-third of all appointed and ex-officio members plus one shall form a quorum (including at least one Officer).  

Approved by the CO Faculty Leadership Team:  

Review date: