Medical Schools Are Racing to Catch Up with the AI Explosion

The landscape of medical training has been irrevocably altered since 2022, driven by the widespread accessibility of large language models (LLMs). A recent scoping review, which screened over 3,000 publications, highlights a dramatic acceleration in the use of artificial intelligence within undergraduate medical education (UGME). Remarkably, 52% of the relevant studies appeared in just an eight-month window, underscoring the frantic pace of this technological shift.

Universities are deploying AI for diverse applications, ranging from autonomous tutoring and simulation-based learning to automating the grading process. However, this rapid integration exposes a significant gap between technology and pedagogy. Although students are demanding AI literacy skills, the review found no standardised approach or ethical framework for implementing these tools. Most concerningly, not a single publication has yet assessed the impact of AI on a student’s critical thinking or clinical reasoning—the core skills of a doctor. The authors conclude that defining clear competencies and faculty development are urgent priorities to ensure the next generation of physicians is properly trained.