In a new study published in Lancet Gastroenterology and Hepatology, researchers sought to assess how doctors may be becoming over reliant on A.I. to the detriment of their own skills.
The study followed doctors at four endoscopy centers in Poland, who were given access to an A.I. tool to help detect suspicious growths while performing a colonoscopy. After three months of regular use of the technology, the researchers took it away to determine their performance and accuracy without the use of the tool. Their findings? Before the A.I. tool was introduced, the doctors spotted growths in about 28 percent of colonoscopies. After using AI for three months, the detection rate had fallen to about 22 percent.
In truth, we’re struggling with the fact that detection levels, in either scenario, hovers around 25 percent, which does not give us terrible confidence in the medical system in Poland – and even with AI tools, detection rates only rise about 8 points. We’re seriously thinking of cancelling our medical tourism trip to Eastern Europe now.
The research suggests that over-reliance on new technologies may erode important skills still needed in modern life. We’re realistic about this of course: humans often lose skills due to advances in technology without impeding progress. Our utter lack of horsemanship does not preclude us from getting to the other side of town, given cars, buses, subways, bicycles, and those annoying scooters that litter our sidewalks. But it does suggest that we need to be thoughtful about what skills, especially medical skills, need to be retained in an era of emerging, and sometimes confusing, technology.