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- Should medical...
- Should medical students be encouraged to use generative artificial intelligence to study?
Should medical students be encouraged to use generative artificial intelligence to study?
BMJ2025;390 doi:https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.r1418(Published 23 July 2025) Cite this as:BMJ 2025;390:r1418
- Rhea Sibal, intercalating medical student1,
- George Webster, editorial scholar2,
- Elgan Manton-Roseblade, Clegg scholar23
- Correspondence to: R Sibalrheasibal21{at}gmail.com; G Webstergwebster{at}bmj.com
Generative artificial intelligence is becoming increasingly embedded in how today’s medical students learn and practise medicine. But should it be formally taught within the medical curriculum?Rhea Sibal argues that it must be embraced to prepare future doctors, whileGeorge Webster and Elgan Manton-Roseblade argue that the risks outweigh the benefits
Yes— Rhea Sibal
Generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) is not the future of medicine, it is now the present. To ignore this shift in medical education is not only shortsighted but irresponsible. We must prepare tomorrow’s doctors to be able to use it in their studies effectively and ethically.
Already, medical students are turning to tools such as ChatGPT in their academic work. A 2024 study found that 69% of medical students used chatbots for educational purposes, and 80% intended to continue doing so in clinical practice,1 showing a majority trend. Formalising artificial intelligence education in medical curriculums would provide the structure needed to teach students to use these technologies safely and intelligently, rather than leaving them to navigate the risks on their own.
I strongly believe that careful use of GenAI has the potential to transform learning. During my USMLE (United States Medical Licensing Examination) Step 1 preparation, GenAI tools helped me generate customised practice questions, explain complex biochemical pathways, and build flexible revision schedules. Unlike the commonly used static question banks, artificial intelligence platforms adapted to my individual needs, providing me with tailored feedback based on my mistakes. In fact, it has been shown that students using GenAI tools to aid systematic reviews reported greater confidence and satisfaction in their work.2
It is important to acknowledge that generative artificial intelligence has the potential to be …
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