PURPOSE
Artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping healthcare and education, yet
medical schools face challenges in determining how best to prepare students
for ethical and appropriate use of AI in both classroom and clinical
environments. To inform strategic curricular planning, we conducted a
baseline survey to assess current AI use, faculty readiness, and perceived
barriers within the undergraduate medical curriculum.
METHODS
An online survey was distributed to 17 course, block, and clerkship
directors in Fall 2025. Questions explored current AI incorporation, future
plans, observed benefits, barriers, desired training, and concerns.
Quantitative responses were analyzed descriptively, open-text comments
underwent thematic analysis to identify shared needs and concerns.
RESULTS
13 of 17 respondents completed the survey. Currently, 38% reported
incorporating AI in some capacity, including a ChatGPT-based reflective
exercise in gross anatomy, AI-assisted question generation, and introductory
lectures on AI in medicine. Barriers included limited time (46%), lack of
resources (46%), and insufficient training (38%). Faculty expressed strong
interest in structured faculty development, institutional policy guidance,
and sharing of best practices. Concerns of pre-clerkship faculty centered on
over-reliance leading to reduced critical thinking (92%), inaccurate skill
acquisition (75%), failure to develop skills (75%), and academic integrity
(58%). Concerns of clerkship faculty centered on over-reliance leading to
reduced critical thinking (100%), inaccurate skill acquisition (86%), and
failure to develop skills (86%).
CONCLUSION
While isolated examples of AI use exist, most faculty report uncertainty
about effective and ethical integration. These findings underscore the need
for institution-wide initiatives, including faculty development workshops,
curricular mapping of AI competencies, and pilot projects across both
pre-clerkship and clerkship curriculum. Establishing a coordinated strategy
will build faculty capacity, promote responsible AI adoption, and prepare
students for a technologically dynamic future in medicine.