3 answers
Aubrey
Student
Fruitville, FL
1
Question
Asked
551 views
With the evolving scope of technology, how may the world expect platforms such as Artificial Intelligence to affect all aspects of the medical field, from surgery to general patient care? Should the medical field be something I should still pursue if AI's chances of replacing medical jobs is increasing at a rapid rate?
I am an aspiring high school senior who is looking to pursue a field in medicine. I am curious of how the evolvement of AI will continue to impact the entire medical profession. I would truly appreciate an insight into this matter, as I am currently considering the many possible careers I could pursue after high school. Thank you for any feedback!
Login to comment
3 answers
Patrick Meyer
Executive - Data Analytics and AI
1058
Answers
Naperville, Illinois
Updated
Patrick’s Answer
Aubrey, I think you should think about pursuing medicine. I do not believe that even with the advancement in technology and/or AI doctors will never be replaced, but this technology will aid them. I see it being able to handle data, possibly improve diagnosis, and help them perform surgeries. This will allow you to spend more time focusing on your patient care, making critical decisions, and showing your patients empathy. These are things that AI will never be able to provide or do. I think you should learn to work with AI versus trying to avoid it. I believe you will stay valuable and relevant. You should focus on building skills that use both technology and human behaviors.
Thank you Patrick Meyer for your insight on how AI can be a complement to doctors!
Aubrey
Allan Thompson
Volunteer
17
Answers
San Jose, California
Updated
Allan’s Answer
Yes, AI will affect many medical care fields. But it will also be a good and growing career path so learn as much about medical related AI as you can. Also, related courses like biology and chemistry will give you a better understanding and background for medicine. Physics could also help if you are interested in medical devices. Take AP courses if you can.
In general, AI will help doctors and researchers. AI will not eliminate their jobs but it may minimize the number of assistants they need.
In general, AI will help doctors and researchers. AI will not eliminate their jobs but it may minimize the number of assistants they need.
Thank you for the advice Allan Thompson!
Aubrey
Kirthi KN
Computers
35
Answers
Hyderabad, Telangana, India
Updated
Kirthi’s Answer
Hi Aubrey, that's an excellent and very mature question. It's exactly what an aspiring medical student should be thinking about right now.
Let's get your biggest concern answered first: Yes, you should absolutely still pursue a field in medicine.
Your fear is understandable, but it's based on a common misconception. AI is not going to replace doctors, surgeons, or nurses. It's going to augment them.
Think of it this way: The stethoscope was a revolutionary technology that allowed doctors to hear things inside the body they never could before. It didn't replace doctors; it made them better doctors.
AI is the new stethoscope. It's a powerful tool that will help medical professionals do their jobs better, faster, and more accurately. Doctors who use AI will replace doctors who don't.
Here is a practical breakdown of how AI will likely affect the areas you mentioned.
1. Diagnosis and General Patient Care
This is where AI is already making the biggest impact. AI is fantastic at pattern recognition—far better than the human eye.
"Super-powered" Radiologists: An AI can scan an MRI, X-ray, or CT scan and detect a tiny tumor or a hairline fracture that a human radiologist, even on their best day, might miss. The AI flags it, and the doctor makes the final diagnosis. The AI's error rate is incredibly low, and when combined with a human expert, the accuracy becomes nearly perfect.
Faster Lab Results: Instead of just getting a list of numbers from a blood test, an AI can analyze those results against your entire medical history, genetics, and millions of other patient cases to suggest potential diagnoses or flag a developing disease years before symptoms appear.
Killing the Paperwork: One of the biggest complaints from doctors is the endless time spent on administrative work (like writing notes, filling out forms, etc.). AI-powered "scribes" can listen to your conversation with a patient and write all the clinical notes for you, instantly. This frees the doctor to do the one thing the AI can't: look the patient in the eye, listen, and show empathy.
2. Surgery
AI in surgery is all about precision and data.
Robotic-Assisted Surgery: This is already common. Surgeons use a console to control robotic arms, which can perform movements with a precision and steadiness that no human hand can match. This means smaller incisions, less bleeding, and faster recovery.
Real-Time Data: During an operation, an AI can analyze the live video feed from a tiny camera and overlay information for the surgeon. It might highlight a nerve that the surgeon should avoid or show blood flow in real-time. The surgeon is still 100% in charge; they just have a "smart" assistant giving them superhuman vision.
3. Why AI Will Never Replace Doctors
The fear of replacement comes from thinking that medicine is just about data and procedures. It's not.
Empathy and Communication: Would you want an algorithm to tell you that you have cancer? Or to discuss end-of-life options with your family? Medicine is a deeply human-to-human interaction. A machine can't replicate trust, compassion, or the ability to comfort a scared patient.
Complex Judgment: Medicine is full of "gray areas." A 90-year-old with heart failure and a 30-year-old with the same condition require completely different treatment plans. A doctor considers the whole person—their lifestyle, their family, their fears, their goals. AI is bad at this kind of holistic, real-world judgment.
Accountability: If an AI makes a mistake, who is responsible? The doctor. The human expert must be the final decision-maker.
So, what does this mean for you?
You are in a perfect position. Your generation of doctors will be the first to be "digital natives" in medicine. Don't be afraid of AI; plan to become an expert at using it. The future of medicine belongs to the professionals who can combine high-tech tools with high-touch, human-centric care.
It's one of the most exciting times in history to be entering the medical field. Go for it.
Let's get your biggest concern answered first: Yes, you should absolutely still pursue a field in medicine.
Your fear is understandable, but it's based on a common misconception. AI is not going to replace doctors, surgeons, or nurses. It's going to augment them.
Think of it this way: The stethoscope was a revolutionary technology that allowed doctors to hear things inside the body they never could before. It didn't replace doctors; it made them better doctors.
AI is the new stethoscope. It's a powerful tool that will help medical professionals do their jobs better, faster, and more accurately. Doctors who use AI will replace doctors who don't.
Here is a practical breakdown of how AI will likely affect the areas you mentioned.
1. Diagnosis and General Patient Care
This is where AI is already making the biggest impact. AI is fantastic at pattern recognition—far better than the human eye.
"Super-powered" Radiologists: An AI can scan an MRI, X-ray, or CT scan and detect a tiny tumor or a hairline fracture that a human radiologist, even on their best day, might miss. The AI flags it, and the doctor makes the final diagnosis. The AI's error rate is incredibly low, and when combined with a human expert, the accuracy becomes nearly perfect.
Faster Lab Results: Instead of just getting a list of numbers from a blood test, an AI can analyze those results against your entire medical history, genetics, and millions of other patient cases to suggest potential diagnoses or flag a developing disease years before symptoms appear.
Killing the Paperwork: One of the biggest complaints from doctors is the endless time spent on administrative work (like writing notes, filling out forms, etc.). AI-powered "scribes" can listen to your conversation with a patient and write all the clinical notes for you, instantly. This frees the doctor to do the one thing the AI can't: look the patient in the eye, listen, and show empathy.
2. Surgery
AI in surgery is all about precision and data.
Robotic-Assisted Surgery: This is already common. Surgeons use a console to control robotic arms, which can perform movements with a precision and steadiness that no human hand can match. This means smaller incisions, less bleeding, and faster recovery.
Real-Time Data: During an operation, an AI can analyze the live video feed from a tiny camera and overlay information for the surgeon. It might highlight a nerve that the surgeon should avoid or show blood flow in real-time. The surgeon is still 100% in charge; they just have a "smart" assistant giving them superhuman vision.
3. Why AI Will Never Replace Doctors
The fear of replacement comes from thinking that medicine is just about data and procedures. It's not.
Empathy and Communication: Would you want an algorithm to tell you that you have cancer? Or to discuss end-of-life options with your family? Medicine is a deeply human-to-human interaction. A machine can't replicate trust, compassion, or the ability to comfort a scared patient.
Complex Judgment: Medicine is full of "gray areas." A 90-year-old with heart failure and a 30-year-old with the same condition require completely different treatment plans. A doctor considers the whole person—their lifestyle, their family, their fears, their goals. AI is bad at this kind of holistic, real-world judgment.
Accountability: If an AI makes a mistake, who is responsible? The doctor. The human expert must be the final decision-maker.
So, what does this mean for you?
You are in a perfect position. Your generation of doctors will be the first to be "digital natives" in medicine. Don't be afraid of AI; plan to become an expert at using it. The future of medicine belongs to the professionals who can combine high-tech tools with high-touch, human-centric care.
It's one of the most exciting times in history to be entering the medical field. Go for it.
Thank you Kirthi! Your response was very insightful and I now have a greater understanding of how AI will affect the medical field. I will think of it as something I can work with instead of against.
Aubrey