Statement from leading physician organizations on the role of augmented intelligence in healthcare

The following organizations issued the joint statement below:

American Academy of Family Physicians
American Academy of Pediatrics
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
American College of Physicians
American College of Surgeons
American Medical Association

"Statements suggesting AI is inherently better informed than physicians, or that physicians cannot be trusted to make clinical decisions without first consulting this technology, diminish physician expertise and risk undermining patients' trust.

"Physicians evaluate patients in context, drawing on years of training and experience. They ask questions, understand each patient's unique needs and circumstances, exercise professional judgment and take responsibility for the care they provide.

"Physicians have long embraced technologies that improve care, and AI has tremendous potential to provide new tools and insights. But patient safety, physician expertise and the humanity of clinical practice must guide how these tools are developed and used.

"Pitting physicians against technology or suggesting AI should replace physician expertise does not advance this important work. We need to move carefully, and we need to get this right.

"As medical societies representing physicians across the country, we are committed to ensuring physicians help lead the responsible development and use of AI in medicine."