Reconfiguring work: Artificial intelligence, Agentic AI, and the Future of the Radiology Profession

Abstract Radiology is undergoing a major shift with the growing use of artificial intelligence (AI), and more change is expected with the emergence of agentic AI—systems that can initiate, manage, and coordinate clinical tasks. So far, most discussions about AI’s impact on radiology follow two main approaches. The first, the “displacement” approach, tries to predict which jobs are most at risk of being replaced by AI. This narrative often warns that radiologists may be displaced. The second, the automation-versus-augmentation approach, looks within jobs to identify which tasks are likely to be fully automated (automation) and which will be improved by AI working alongside humans (augmentation). This paper introduces a third approach: reconfiguration. Instead of focusing on job loss or task replacement, the reconfiguration model looks at how AI changes the way tasks connect, how responsibilities shift, and how professional roles evolve. Drawing on recent research and developments in AI, this paper advances the reconfiguration approach and articulates why it offers a clearer way to understand—and help shape—the future of work in radiology. This paper offers a forward-looking reflection on the shifting nature of radiological work—clinically, educationally, and organisationally—as AI systems become increasingly integrated into practice.