(NewsNation) — As artificial intelligence becomes more common in doctors’ offices and hospitals, the New York State Nurses Association is voicing its concerns.

In November, union members rallied outside New York City Hall to urge leaders to keep AI tools such as “ambient listening” and virtual nurses out of hospitals. Nancy Hagans, union president, told “Morning in America” that “artificial intelligence is artificial caring.”

“Right now, we have 20,000 nurses fighting for a fair contract, and our core demand is about a real nurse at the bedside,” Hagans said. “No one could replace a nurse.”

In particular, the union has taken issue with AI technology being implemented in hospitals without nurses first having the opportunity to review and test it. As a result, Hagans said nurses often have to double-check the technology isn’t making critical mistakes.

“Nurses have no input in the technology,” Hagans said. “In the past, if we were going to roll something out, we would have nurses test it and make sure it’s piloted to make sure that patients are being cared for properly.”

Hagans argues that hospitals are cutting corners with this technology, putting patients at risk.

“When I walk into a patient’s room, I say, ‘Are you in pain?’ The patients may say no, but when I see the grimaces in the patient’s face, I know that patient is in pain,” she said. “As a nurse, I am here to protect my patients every day and every hour.”