Readiness and Anxiety among Medical Students Regarding Artificial Intelligence at a Medical College in Western India: A Cross-sectional Study

Aims and background: Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly being integrated into medical education, clinical practice, and research.To be prepared for AI-related new roles and tasks in the future, medical students will need to be trained in AI, which will enhance their AI readiness and reduce AI-related anxiety.The objective of the study was to assess the readiness for AI and level of AI-anxiety among the medical students.Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 192 medical students at a medical college in Western India.Artificial intelligence readiness was measured with the medical artificial intelligence readiness scale for medical students (MAIRS-MS).Artificial intelligence anxiety was measured with the artificial intelligence anxiety scale (AIAS).Mean scores for the two scales and their subdomains were calculated.The association between AI readiness and AI-anxiety was assessed with Pearson correlation.A multiple linear regression analysis was performed to examine the independent effects of the MAIRS-MS score and associated factors on AIAS score. Results:The overall mean MAIRS-MS score was 68.57± 13.10.Overall mean AIAS score was 87.02 ± 19.48.There was no significant difference in scores between male and female students.The association between AI readiness and AI-anxiety was weakly negative, though not statistically significant.Most students expressed a strong felt need for AI training and supported its integration into the medical curriculum.Conclusion: Medical students reported moderate levels of AI readiness and AI-anxiety.Artificial intelligence readiness showed weak negative association with AI-anxiety.Most students expressed need for AI training within the medical curriculum. Clinical significance:The findings highlight the need to incorporate basic AI education into undergraduate medical training to improve their AI readiness and prepare future-ready physicians for the ever-evolving landscape of AI-enabled health care.