Artificial Intelligence in pulmonology: Transforming practice amid challenges and opportunities

Abstract

<bold>Introduction:</bold> Artificial Intelligence (AI) is increasingly integrated into various medical specialties, including pulmonology, where it enhances diagnostic accuracy, optimizes patient management, and facilitates medical decision-making. This study aims to evaluate the awareness, perception, and use of AI among pulmonology residents in Morocco. <bold>Materials and methods:</bold> We conducted a cross-sectional study using a self-administered questionnaire distributed randomly among pulmonology residents across various university hospitals in Morocco. The questionnaire included demographic data, AI knowledge, its current and potential applications in pulmonology, perceived benefits, and barriers to integration. <bold>Results:</bold> The average age of respondents was 28.7 years (± 3 years), with a sex ratio of 1.19 (M/F). Only 18.2% had received formal AI training, and most rated their AI knowledge as low or moderate. While 45.5% considered AI highly important in medical practice, only 36.4% used it daily, mainly for drafting medical reports (81.8%), managing data (54.5%), and imaging analysis (45.4%). Key perceived benefits included better resource management, time efficiency, and improved diagnostic accuracy. However, concerns about reliability (81.8%), doctor-patient relationships (72.1%), and potential errors (36,3%) were major limitations. The biggest barriers to AI integration were inadequate infrastructure (81.8%), high costs (63.6%), and lack of specialized knowledge (54.5%). <bold>Conclusion:</bold> AI presents significant opportunities in pulmonology, enhancing diagnostic accuracy and patient care. However, its full integration is hindered by training gaps, accessibility challenges, and ethical concerns.

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