In response to growing discussion and research comparing AI with physicians, six leading physician organizations have released a joint statement on the role of augmented intelligence in health care.  

The American Academy of Family Physicians, American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, American College of Physicians, American College of Surgeons, and the American Medical Association have issued the following statement:  

“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.” 

ASCO AI in Oncology is published by Conexiant under a license arrangement with the American Society of Clinical Oncology, Inc. (ASCO^®). The ideas and opinions expressed in ASCO AI in Oncology do not necessarily reflect those of Conexiant or ASCO. For more information, see Policies.