NCRM videos
Is AI the future of health and social science?
Gabriele Durrant, David Bann, Peter Tennant
21-01-2026
NCRM held a public debate at University College London on Monday, 15 December 2025 on whether AI is the future of health and social science.
The debate defined AI as computational systems that can perform cognitive tasks relevant to quantitative research, such as large language models and agentic systems.
The audience of researchers were invited to cast their vote on the future impact of AI before listening to two academics present their views on the issue.
Professor David Bann, of University College London, highlighted the potential benefits of AI, if it is managed well.
Dr Peter Tennant, of the University of Leeds, argued against this, emphasising the risks, pitfalls and limits of current technology.
After the presentations, audience members were invited to cast their votes again to see if the arguments had changed their minds.
The event was sponsored by NCRM and the UKRI-funded project New Approaches to Digital Skills Development.
Slides and supporting materials
- Is AI the future of health and social science? A debate. Prof Gabriele Durrant
- Is AI the future of health and social science? David Bann
- Is AI the future of Health Science and Social Scince. The case Against. Peter Tennant