With advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) constantly appearing in the news, some of you might be wondering what the FMA’s policy is on this increasingly important matter. For instance, it was recently reported that Google’s medical AI system achieved an 85% accuracy rate on the U.S. Medical Licensing Examination, and that radiologists in Hungary and elsewhere are starting to test AI systems to help spot signs of cancer. AI systems have also managed to perform within the top 10% of SAT exam takers and at the 90th percentile of a simulated bar exam, among other feats.

As a result of the emerging potential of AI systems in the medical field — and the questions and potential concerns that these systems raise — the FMA Medical Student Section introduced Resolution 22-306 Artificial Intelligence at the 2022 FMA Annual Meeting. This policy was referred to the Board of Governors, which in turn assigned the resolution to the FMA Council on Medical Economics and Practice Innovation. Following that, the Board ultimately adopted this resolution as FMA policy. The policy reads as follows:

RESOLVED, That our FMA support legislation that prevents AI programs and AI-derived algorithms from becoming the sole determinants of clinical decision-making; and be it further

RESOLVED, That our FMA support legislation preventing healthcare entities from being reimbursed for medical decision-making performed by AI programs and AI-derived algorithms alone; and be it further

RESOLVED, That our FMA support legislation requiring a physician to endorse/sign-off/approve of any reimbursable action taken by an AI program or AI-derived algorithm; and be it further

RESOLVED, That our FMA create CME courses for FMA members on how to incorporate the next generation of AI programs and AI-derived algorithms into their practice and teach best practices for patient personal data protection.

Given the rapid pace at which AI systems are evolving, the FMA will continue to monitor these systems and review proposals to refine our policies as necessary.