The opinions of New Zealand veterinary nurses to the use and impact of artificial intelligence (AI) within veterinary clinical practice

Abstract

The use of AI in veterinary clinical practice has many potential applications (Sobkowich, 2025). Anecdotally, it is being quickly adopted within the profession in New Zealand. However, overseas studies have found that both, medical and veterinary undergraduate education is lacking AI literacy training (Reagan, 2025). Education providers need to stay abreast of the use of this new technology to ensure graduates are trained in the skills they need to effectively contribute to their industry. This study sought to investigate how AI is being used in clinical practice and the opinions of veterinary nurses (VN) on the impacts and implications on veterinary medicine to inform authentic curriculum and assessment design of veterinary nursing programmes.