Former IMA president dispels fears of AI displacing doctors

Addressing Annual Conference of Association of Physicians of India (APICON-24), New Delhi, Dr Ajay Kumar, renowned Urologist & Past President of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) dispelled fears of AI displacing doctors, instead highlighting its potential for collaboration.

Dr Kumar envisions a future “Trimurti” of medicine – a three-pronged approach combining Allopathy, Ayurveda, and other complementary practices, all guided by AI. He believes that “Trimurti” (Allopathy, Ayush & CAM) shall be healer of mind, soul, and body under the influence of AI, illuminating the potential for a harmonious coalescence of tradition and innovation in healthcare. CAM stands for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. He called it Vision 2047.

Dr Kumar, known for his keen observations on healthcare trends, deliberated on “The Influence of Artificial Intelligence in Future Medical Care.” He emphasized that AI is not a threat, but a powerful tool poised to revolutionize healthcare delivery, suggesting the doctors to embrace Artificial Intelligence (AI). He also shed light on the imminent transformation of the healthcare landscape with the inevitable integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI).

According to Dr Kumar, AI is poised to reinforce healthcare delivery worldwide, with its influence extending to disease detection, diagnosis, robotics in surgery, drug discovery, remote patient monitoring, and personalized treatment approaches.

Dr Rajesh Upadhyay, Organizing Secretary of APICON-2024, said, “Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming every aspect of healthcare, from diagnostics to treatment. At APICON, we have seen how physicians from across the country have deliberated upon how AI can empower them. Imagine leveraging AI for faster, more accurate diagnoses, or even personalizing treatment plans for individual patients. This conference has brought together the medical minds who have unravelled the potential of AI and how it has revolutionized patient care and equipped doctors with the tools to excel in this new era of medicine.”

In a bold declaration, Dr Kumar emphasized, “AI may not replace doctors, but doctors who do not know how to use AI will be replaced for sure.” His visionary outlook positioned AI as not a predator, but a crucial colleague in medicine, urging healthcare professionals to embrace this technological evolution for the betterment of patient care.

Amidst the immense potential of AI, Dr Kumar outlined its limitations, ethical considerations, and stressed the necessity for human oversight. His remarks resonated with the overarching theme of APICON24, as echoed by Dr Rajesh Upadhyay, the organizing secretary, who emphasized the pivotal role of AI in empowering physicians for faster, more accurate diagnoses and personalized treatment plans.

As healthcare stands on the cusp of unparalleled technological advancement, Dr Ajay Kumar’s resounding message serves as a clarion call for doctors to harness AI as a transformative ally rather than a disruptor. The integration of AI not only signifies a paradigm shift in healthcare but also heralds a new era of medical excellence, empowered by the collaborative prowess of human expertise and technological ingenuity.
MB Bureau