AI in colonoscopy: A helpful tool or a risk to doctors’ skills?

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly becoming part of everyday medical care, with growing enthusiasm for its ability to support doctors in making faster and more accurate decisions. In colonoscopy, AI systems have been widely welcomed for helping clinicians identify precancerous growths that might otherwise be overlooked. However, emerging evidence suggests that routine dependence on this technology may have unintended consequences.

In a recent study, researchers compared colonoscopies performed by highly experienced specialists before and after AI tools were introduced into regular clinical practice. Although AI-assisted procedures continued to show strong detection results, a different pattern emerged when clinicians worked without technological support. Several months after AI became routine, the same specialists were less successful at identifying precancerous growths on their own.

These findings raise important concerns about whether long-term AI use could reduce clinicians’ vigilance or decision-making skills when technology is unavailable. Notably, this is the first study to suggest that artificial intelligence may negatively affect healthcare professionals’ ability to perform a task that has direct and meaningful consequences for patient outcomes.

Colonoscopy plays a crucial role in preventing bowel cancer by identifying and removing precancerous lesions early. If reliance on AI weakens clinicians’ core skills, this could have implications for patient safety, particularly in settings where AI tools are unavailable or malfunction. The study highlights the importance of balancing innovation with ongoing training as AI becomes more embedded in healthcare.

Source: The Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology