Wang Xiaochuan, founder and CEO of Baichuan Intelligence, responded on Friday to comments made by Dr. Zhang Wenhong regarding the introduction of AI into hospitals. Dr. Zhang had previously expressed concerns about incorporating AI into his hospital’s electronic medical record system, fearing that young doctors might over-rely on AI and be misled.
Wang said he recently watched the full video of Dr. Zhang’s remarks and reflected on the issues raised. He believes that Dr. Zhang’s concerns highlight a broader question: how to use AI effectively in clinical practice. Wang emphasized that both doctors and patients share the fundamental principle of prioritizing patient interests. In certain scenarios, a combination of “AI plus doctors” can outperform a doctor working alone.
Addressing worries about young doctors’ skills potentially declining, Wang suggested a shift in perspective: rather than having young doctors “find mistakes” in AI recommendations, AI should assist doctors by reminding them and verifying their diagnostic decisions. This “AI safeguarding doctors” approach not only reduces the risk of misdiagnosis and missed diagnosis for patients but also provides feedback that supports doctors’ professional growth.
“Doctors’ growth should not come at the cost of current patients,” Wang said. He explained that with AI, doctors’ roles can shift from being “error checkers” to “evaluators,” focusing on identifying both strengths and limitations of AI in order to develop effective collaboration. Wang also mentioned that he plans to reach out to Dr. Zhang for further discussion if needed.
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