A Comparative Analysis of the Medical Expertise Transformation in Russia in the Age of Artificial Sociality

Abstract

This paper examines the transformation of medical expertise in Russia through the active involvement of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies in professional and everyday social interactions. Applying their concept of artificial sociality, the authors classify medical technologies into four groups: ‘AI for doctors’, ‘AI for patients’, ‘Internet for doctors’, and ‘Internet for patients’. Through primary and secondary empirical data, including interviews with doctors, practitioner surveys, and content analysis of academic papers, the authors explore how these technologies are utilized and impact medical expertise in Russia. The authors develop two hypotheses concerning changes in modern medical expertise: 1) The professional medical monopoly is losing its power because of straightforward access for the public to medical information online and AI instruments’ assistance; 2) there is a hybridization of various types of expertise. What are the primary scholarly outcomes of the paper? First, comparative study results refute the first hypothesis. Second, only the fourth type of technology, ‘Internet for patients’ (online search engines), calls into question the professional monopoly on medical expertise. Meanwhile, the second hypothesis is confirmed: many actors beyond the medical community produce medical claims, including pharmaceutical companies, medical equipment manufacturers, AI developers, medical associations, and others. In conclusion, the authors argue that universal AI technologies, such as online search engines and smartphone applications, rather than specialized AI technologies, have a significant impact on the transformation of medical expertise in Russia today.

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