Medical student perspectives on the role of artificial intelligence in dermatology: Implications for specialty choice and ethical concerns

Summary: Abstract Body: Artificial intelligence (AI) is playing an increasingly prominent role in healthcare, especially in specialties reliant on visual diagnostics like dermatology. This study explores how medical students perceive AI’s role in dermatology, its ethical implications, and its influence on specialty choice. A cross-sectional survey of 230 U.S. medical students gathered perspectives on AI, including perceived risks, benefits, and concerns about bias. Most respondents (95%) had no formal AI education, though 65% agreed all medical students should receive AI training. Despite limited exposure, students were generally optimistic about AI’s potential: 91% disagreed that AI will replace dermatologists, and 82% agreed it will augment capabilities and improve efficiency. Importantly, 84% disagreed that AI advancements would deter them from choosing dermatology. However, ethical concerns emerged as a key theme. 48% of students expressed concern about AI’s ethical implications in dermatology, and 54% worried AI could exacerbate existing biases, particularly related to race and ethnicity. One student noted, “A lot of technological models that require human samples don’t take darker skin tones into account…AI will likely reflect the bias of its developers.” Concerns also included AI being used by non-dermatologists, potentially leading to missed diagnoses and poorer patient outcomes. These findings suggest that while students recognize AI’s potential to improve dermatologic care, they remain cautious about its ethical implications, particularly regarding bias in diagnosing skin conditions in patients of color. The lack of AI education in medical curricula contributes to this apprehension. Addressing these concerns through AI-focused education can better prepare future dermatologists to identify and mitigate bias in AI tools, ensuring advancements contribute to more equitable and inclusive care. Laci Turner¹, Michael Anderson¹, Charlotte McRae¹, Andrew Schroeder¹, Lauren Kole^{1, 2} 1. School of Medicine, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States. 2. Department of Dermatology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States. Clinical Research: Epidemiology and Observational Research