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Abstract

Purpose: This purpose of this study was to investigate the a) knowledge b) readiness and c) attitude of future health professionals of Pakistan regarding artificial intelligence (AI) in both their academic and clinical settings. The research compared the above-mentioned parameters for AI between students from public and private medical institutions.

Methods: Data collection was conducted using a structured questionnaire comprising three components: the Medical Artificial Intelligence Readiness Scale for Medical Students (MAIRS-MS), knowledge related questions and attitude-related questions. An online survey was distributed to student groups and academic contacts, yielding a total of 456 complete responses. Data was analysed using SPSS version 25 and a p-value of < 0.05 was considered significant.

Results: The findings indicated that students from both private and public sectors exhibited similar overall scores, despite differences in their backgrounds and entry pathways. Public sector students reflected a better understanding of specific deep learning concepts compared to their private sector counterparts, possibly due to differences in their academic merits at the time of admission. Both groups exhibited a comparable readiness for AI by falling in the “moderately ready” category. Students with prior exposure to AI and those with parents in the medical profession reported significantly higher levels of readiness. Attitudes towards AI were predominantly positive across both sectors. The readiness was not significantly associated with variables such as gender, academic qualifications, marital status, or geographic origin.

Conclusion: Medical students from both, public and private sector, demonstrated positive attitudes and moderate readiness toward AI despite gaps in technical knowledge. The findings suggest that structured AI education and integration of AI into medical curriculum and training is the need of the hour for a developing country like Pakistan.

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