Purpose
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming the healthcare landscape, redefining diagnostics, optimizing treatment strategies, and enhancing overall patient outcomes. As these technological breakthroughs occur, Health Professions Education (HPE) must upgrade to prepare the next-generation healthcare workforce to harness these technologies effectively. To harness and efficiently utilize novel AI tools and foster innovation, aspiring medical professionals should possess adequate knowledge regarding Artificial Intelligence. It is essential to get an in-depth understanding of students’ attitudes and perceptions of Artificial Intelligence in healthcare to devise a comprehensive curriculum that encompasses Artificial Intelligence competencies in undergraduate medical education. This study aimed to analyze students’ attitudes and perceptions on the integration of AI in medicine and to explore the perceived need for AI integration in HPE.

Methods
We conducted a cross-sectional study via an online questionnaire-based survey among undergraduate medical and nursing students. The survey comprised of 29 items including 5-point Likert scale items and multiple-response questions. A chi-square test was performed and the Odds Ratio (OR) along with their corresponding 95% Confidence Intervals (CIs) was calculated. In terms of statistical significance, a p-value of less than 0.05% was considered significant.

Results
The culmination of this study revealed that participants held a cautiously optimistic attitude toward AI integration in healthcare. Over 60% of the participants considered Artificial Intelligence as an efficient tool to minimize medical errors. Our comprehensive analysis found that 78.8% of the students felt that basic training in AI concepts and related topics in medical school can be beneficial to sustain in the era of AI.

Conclusion
In the pursuit of a healthcare system optimized with AI application, the findings of this study calls for a comprehensive and meticulously formulated medical curriculum encompassing AI competencies and its ethical framework to harness the boundless potential of AI in healthcare upholding ethical standards.