Will AI replace radiologists?
Abstract
AI may eventually replace parts of radiology, even interventional radiology, but likely over decades, not years. The bigger question is whether it makes sense for the next generation to spend 10+ years training for work that AI may increasingly perform.
Will AI replace radiologists?
My answer is: possibly, even interventional radiologists. But if it happens, I suspect we are talking about decades, not years.
The more likely end state is human + AI, not an AI model independently signing reports or operating on patients.
At least, not yet.
For that to happen, you need more than a capable model. You need the entire workflow stack, regulatory framework, and liability regime to catch up.
None of those pieces are fully there today.
And yet, autonomous AI is already capable of taking on pieces of healthcare work that once seemed firmly human, prior authorization is a good example.
Which brings me to what I think is the more uncomfortable question for the next generation of physicians:
Is it still worth spending 10+ years training, taking on significant debt, and grinding through residency if you may graduate into a market where AI is competing for the very work you trained to do?
That’s not a hypothetical question anymore.
And honestly, it’s a really, really tough question to think about.
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