It is hard to predict the future, but there is no evidence now supporting that AI will replace doctors. The aim of AI right now is not to replace doctors but to help improve efficiency and ultimately provide better care to patients. AI has been used in healthcare since the 1970s when research was produced by MYCIN, which was a system developed by Stanford University that diagnosed infections using AI.

According to Thomson Reuters, some studies show AI is effective in diagnosing certain chronic illnesses, increasing staff efficiency, and optimising care resources. AI is helping in drug discovery and development. The National Library of Medicine published an essay titled “Artificial Intelligence in Drug Discovery and Development,” reporting that AI has revolutionised many aspects of the pharmaceutical industry. The report mentioned that machine learning algorithms, along with software, are helping companies make marketing decisions to reverse poor sales, predict market trends and allocate resources, therefore reducing waste.

There has also been a rise in chatbots to improve communication and ease pressure on health services. The chatbots try to address patients’ issues, with the hope that patients will be better informed and find the appropriate route to get help. The chatbots are also there to help schedule appointments and provide documentation to assist physicians.

Robots are used for assisted surgery. This involves a surgeon taking control and directing the instruments during surgery. These robotic devices allow for a greater range of motion than humans, enabling surgeons to perform delicate surgeries in hard-to-reach places successfully.

The evidence so far points to AI helping doctors rather than replacing them. However, there are downsides to using AI in healthcare. AI may expose bias and unfair treatment towards minorities in healthcare. There is a severe lack of data for minorities and women to feed AI, hindering the accuracy of results and posing potential problems down the line.

Another issue, as seen in the US where healthcare is based on a fee-for-service model, is that if AI reduces over treatment and leads to fewer procedures, healthcare companies may lose money, which could mean fewer doctors.