Using Artificial Intelligence During Biomedical Science Training and Portfolio Completion
Use artificial intelligence to support Biomedical Science learning without replacing your own reasoning, reflection or portfolio evidence. Policy, confidentiality and source checking come first.
Reviewed and updated: 31 October 2026
What responsible use means
AI can assist learning, but a fluent answer is not evidence that you understand a laboratory process. Models may invent references, omit important qualifications or produce advice that conflicts with local procedures. You remain responsible for checking what you submit and being able to explain it.
The 2026 joint statement from health and care regulators sets out principles for AI in professional education. Your university, employer and qualification provider determine the rules applying to your own work. Do not assume a general example is permission for an assessed task.
Support learning without outsourcing evidence
| Possible support, if your policy permits | What must remain your responsibility |
|---|---|
| Questions to explore a topic | Reading, checking and understanding the source |
| Organisation of your own notes | Selecting evidence from genuine supervised experience |
| Grammar or clarity feedback | Preserving your meaning, reasoning and authorship |
| Reflection prompts | Writing an honest reflection on what you actually experienced |
Do not submit generated portfolio evidence, invented cases or reflections as your own. If a suggestion exposes a gap in knowledge, investigate it through approved learning resources and discussion with your trainer; do not conceal the gap with polished wording.
Protect confidential information
Do not enter identifiable patient information, clinical screenshots, internal incident reports or confidential workplace documents into an external AI service. Removing a name may not remove the risk of identification. Use only material and systems explicitly authorised for the purpose, within your organisation’s information-governance arrangements.
A request to improve grammar is still a disclosure if it includes confidential content. Use a non-sensitive summary or discuss the task with your training lead instead.
Check sources and declare use
- Open each cited source and confirm it supports the claim.
- Check dates, units, scope and whether guidance applies locally.
- Follow your provider’s declaration requirements.
- Keep your own learning notes and drafts where appropriate.
- Be ready to explain how you developed and checked the work.
A declaration does not make otherwise prohibited use acceptable. If a task bans AI assistance, follow that rule.
Guidance for trainers
Make expectations clear before an assessment. Review the learner’s reasoning, evidence of supervised practice and ability to discuss the work. An AI-detection score alone cannot establish authorship or misconduct. Where concerns arise, use the provider’s fair assessment process and give the learner an opportunity to explain.
For evidence selection and explanation, read portfolio justification guidance and common portfolio mistakes. These support independent learning; they are not model submissions.
Sources and further reading
Educational guidance only. Follow current employer, university and IBMS requirements. Evidence must be your own work. Read the professional notice.