AI and machine learning may not be brand new, but the technology’s influence on the medical field is yet to be fully understood. School of Medicine Columbia instructors are integrating AI into their own research and practice, but there’s a gap: how can we prepare our students for a future medical career working with AI? Two University of South Carolina faculty experts have a first-of-its-kind solution.
Background
USC stands as a leader in engineering and health sciences, distinguished by comprehensive expertise, groundbreaking research, and innovative interdisciplinary approaches that drive solutions to global challenges. This commitment extends to embracing emerging trends and technologies that are reshaping fields like medicine, where the use of innovative technology is rapidly accelerating. Use of innovative technology in the medical field is rapidly increasing. While USC medical students may get basic exposure to AI technology through their courses and research, there was not a formal platform dedicated to training promising students on AI’s complexities– until now.
The Solution
The AI in Medicine Extracurricular Track is a new initiative led by School of Medicine Senior Associate Dean for Research Leonardo Bonilha, MD, PhD, and Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing’s Chair of Computer Science and Engineering Professor Homayoun Valafar, PhD. The initiative invites medical students interested in AI to attend lectures, practice coding, and complete research with USC’s AI Institute throughout their second, third, and fourth years of medical school. The track is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the technical aspects of AI, enabling them to effectively apply and critically assess existing AI methodologies. This solid foundation prepares students to integrate emerging advancements and contribute creatively to future AI innovations in the medical field.
The Faculty
Bonilha joined the School of Medicine in fall 2023. His tenure so far is marked by a renewed focus on faculty and student research opportunities. Bonilha is a respected voice in the neurology community and uses artificial intelligence to advance Alzheimer's and related dementia research. He has spearheaded this project, stating, "Physicians must understand how to use AI effectively—it can empower them to enhance diagnostic accuracy, streamline patient care, and make data-driven decisions that improve health outcomes."
Valafar, the Director of USC’s AI Institute, oversees the program’s engineering and technology aspects. He aims to familiarize medical students with the basic programming skills needed to create a foundational understanding of AI and machine learning. Valafar highlighted the intersection of health sciences and AI, emphasizing, "AI is the future of health care, and these transformative technologies are already making their way into clinical practice. It is imperative that we equip our medical students with the skills to harness this potential effectively."
The Students
Ten talented second-year medical students comprise the inaugural AI in Medicine cohort. Each were selected for their dedication to evolving health care, interest in the intersection of technology and medicine, and passion for bettering patient outcomes. These students represent a generation of doctors excited about a career amplified by developing technologies and who are devoted to informed and ethical use of AI in medicine.
When asked why she applied for the track, Cecily Kaufman, a student in the program, explained that "Mastering understanding AI and its generative and analytical properties is going to become a powerhouse tool in medicine. Understanding such tools in your field and being able to integrate and utilize them is key to leveraging them for improved patient care”.
AI in Medicine students are paving the way for their peers to join the conversation by creating a new student led organization, the AI in Medicine Interest Group, which aims to demystify AI in medicine on a school-wide scale. Here students will host events and seminars focusing on AI and its impact on health sciences. Abigail Chase, President of the interest group, remarked, “The AI in Medicine Interest Group aims to expand our curricular track and provide all students with the opportunity to explore and engage in discussions about the inner workings of AI in health care. As future health care professionals, medical students must be prepared to not only use AI as a tool but know how to harness its full potential as well as its limitations. Our goal is to ensure we are not merely influenced by the power of AI but are equipped to make informed and ethical decisions when we integrate AI into our medical practices.”
The Impact
Although it is only in its inaugural year, the AI in Medicine Extracurricular Track has already garnered significant attention and enthusiasm. Numerous prospective School of Medicine applicants have cited the track as a key factor in their decision to apply to USC, recognizing the invaluable opportunity it offers in preparing them for the evolving landscape of health care. As the integration of AI continues to reshape the medical field, students are increasingly seeking ways to stay ahead of these transformative changes, and the AI in Medicine Extracurricular Track provides an essential platform for gaining both foundational knowledge and hands-on experience in this critical area. Looking ahead, track leaders are eager to expand the program to accommodate a larger cohort of students, further solidifying its role in shaping the future of medicine and fostering a new generation of health care professionals equipped to harness the power of AI.