Artificial intelligence is reshaping how health care providers deliver care and manage information, Dr. Tamer Elsayed, a family medicine physician with University Medical Center, said during a February Mini Medical School lecture.
Mini Medical School is a collaborative program of UMC and The University of Alabama’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute that provides educational lectures by UMC health care providers to OLLI members. The lectures are also open to the public.
Elsayed described artificial intelligence, or AI, as technology that enables computers to perform tasks that typically require human intelligence, such as understanding language, recognizing patterns and assisting with decision-making.
“In simple terms, AI is like a very smart assistant,” he said. “It helps process information quickly and suggests options, but it doesn’t replace the doctor.”
One fast-growing area, generative AI, can draft clinical notes, emails and patient education materials. It can also summarize lengthy medical records and translate complex medical information into simpler language, helping reduce the administrative workload.
AI is already being used to analyze medical images. Elsayed said these tools can scan for potential problems, such as bleeding in the brain, so that physicians can prioritize urgent cases. AI can also screen for conditions such as diabetes, improving early detection and expanding access to care.
Beyond imaging, AI can support routine tasks, including drafting documentation, sorting patient messages and assisting with scheduling appointments. Reducing these responsibilities can help ease the administrative burden, a leading contributor to burnout among health care providers, Elsayed said.
AI is also improving health care operations by predicting missed appointments, sending patient reminders and helping care teams reach patients who need preventive services.
In education and research, AI tools can explain medical concepts, generate learning materials and help researchers organize and summarize information.
Still, Elsayed emphasized that AI should assist human work and not replace clinical judgment.
Despite its promise, AI carries risks, including inaccurate information, privacy concerns and potential bias.
“AI tools can produce incorrect information, making human reviews essential for accuracy, tone and clinical appropriateness,” Elsayed said. “The goal is to use AI to give clinicians time back. When they have more time, they can give patients more attention and better care.”
He added that health care organizations must use AI responsibly, monitor its performance and ensure humans remain accountable for decisions.