Knowledge and perception on artificial intelligence in medicine: A cross-sectional study among undergraduate students in a medical college of Kolkata

Background: Artificial intelligence (AI) is a rapidly evolving field with immense potential to contribute to medicine, despite having some concerns as well. Methods: We conducted this descriptive study with a cross-sectional design during March to May 2024, to elicit knowledge and perception on AI in medicine and to find out the factors associated, if any, with knowledge on AI among 341 undergraduate students of a Medical College in Kolkata. Census method using the complete enumeration technique was followed for selecting the study participants. Data were collected using a pre-designed, pre-tested questionnaire, as a Google Form. Results: Mean (standard deviation) age of the participants was 21.3 (1.8) years. Majority of the participants were male (60.7%) and from an urban area (63.3%). Less than half of the participants (46.9%) understood the term AI correctly. Only 21.4% of the students knew the major subsets of AI. Overall, about half of the participants (45.7%) had inadequate knowledge of AI. Only 33.4% of participants used AI in the past. Urban area as permanent residence, day scholar students, English medium of schooling and previous use of AI were found significantly associated with adequate knowledge on AI ( P < 0.05). Majority of the respondents (66.0%) considered that AI can assist them in making more accurate decisions for treatment, and 55.7% favoured inclusion of AI in the medical curriculum. AI-related ethical challenges were echoed by 29.6% of the students. Conclusions: Knowledge of AI was inadequate among many medical students. The respondents largely agree on its positive role in medicine, despite a few concerns and are in favour of the incorporation of AI in their curriculum.