Augmented intelligence in medicine

Unlocking the Potential: Augmented Intelligence in Modern Medicine

The rapid evolution of artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming every sector, and medicine is no exception. At the American Medical Association (AMA), we embrace a crucial distinction: focusing on augmented intelligence (AI). This concept emphasizes AI's role not as a replacement for human intellect, but as a powerful assistant designed to enhance and amplify physician capabilities, ultimately improving patient care and clinician well-being.

Ethical Foundations: Guiding AI Development and Deployment

The AMA is deeply committed to ensuring that health care AI realizes its full potential through ethical, equitable, and responsible development and deployment. As AI-enabled tools proliferate, transparency for both physicians and patients is paramount. Our comprehensive policy framework addresses critical areas for both device and non-device AI applications, including:

• Oversight: Establishing clear guidelines for health care AI.
• Transparency: Defining what and when to disclose about AI's use.
• Generative AI: Developing policies and governance for emerging generative AI applications.
• Physician Liability: Clarifying responsibilities concerning AI-enabled technologies.
• Data Privacy & Cybersecurity: Safeguarding sensitive health information.
• Payor Use of AI: Addressing the implications of AI in automated decision-making systems by payors.

These principles underscore our dedication to fostering an environment where AI serves as a trusted partner in health care.

The Physician's Pulse: AI Sentiments and Real-World Impact

Physicians' views on AI are central to its successful integration. AMA's ongoing studies, conducted in 2023 and 2024, consistently reveal a growing enthusiasm. In 2024, a notable 66% of physicians reported using some form of AI tool in their practice, a significant jump from 38% in 2023. This indicates a clear recognition of AI's advantages, with 68% seeing benefits to its use in their practice.

However, this enthusiasm is tempered by valid concerns. Physicians consistently emphasize the critical need for robust implementation guidance and strong clinical evidence to confidently adopt AI tools. This feedback drives AMA's efforts to provide practical resources and advocate for research that ensures AI solutions are not only innovative but also clinically sound and practically useful.

Shaping Tomorrow's Practitioners: AI in Medical Education

AI is increasingly vital across the entire medical education spectrum, serving both as a tool for learners and educators and as a dedicated subject of study. It holds immense promise for transforming the educational experience, enabling precision education, and ultimately contributing to precision health outcomes for patients. Integrating AI into curricula ensures that future physicians are well-equipped to leverage these technologies effectively and ethically.

Practical Guidance and Innovation: CPT® and Practice Management

The AMA actively facilitates the integration of AI into clinical practice through various initiatives. The current CPT® code set is crucial for standardized communication and advanced analytics in health care. We provide essential resources and guidance on classifying diverse AI applications, ensuring accurate reporting of medical procedures and services. The Digital Medicine Payment Advisory Group (DMPAG) plays a key role, identifying barriers to digital medicine adoption and proposing comprehensive solutions for coding, payment, and coverage.

For practices navigating the AI landscape, the AMA offers invaluable insights into responsible development, implementation, and maintenance of AI algorithms and tools. This includes guidance on understanding the current landscape, identifying use cases, and mitigating risks. Our resources, such as the "7 Tips for Responsible Use of Health Care AI," provide actionable advice for physicians looking to incorporate AI effectively and ethically into their daily operations.

Driving Policy and Continuous Learning

The AMA Board of Trustees is continuously working to refine and expand AMA policy on AI, reflecting the technology's rapid advancements and the diverse stakeholders involved. Physicians can utilize the AMA PolicyFinder to stay informed about current AI policy initiatives, ensuring their voices are heard in shaping the future of health care technology.

Furthermore, the AMA provides extensive learning opportunities through AMA Ed Hub™ and JAMA Network™. These platforms offer in-depth articles and educational modules exploring the components of AI in health care, delving into potential challenges, and highlighting opportunities for physicians. This commitment to ongoing education empowers physicians to harness AI as a transformative tool, ensuring it remains a powerful force for good in medicine.

As augmented intelligence continues to redefine health care, the AMA remains at the forefront, advocating for physician-centric, ethically-sound, and evidence-based integration. Our goal is to empower physicians with the knowledge, tools, and policies needed to leverage AI to its fullest, enhancing both clinical care and the sustainability of medical practice.