#10 - Skill Erosion in the Age of Medical AI

Could AI be making doctors worse at their jobs?As artificial intelligence becomes a trusted tool in modern medicine, a surprising question emerges: could relying on these systems actually erode human expertise? We explore a compelling study from The Lancet that found a 6% drop in detection rates for endoscopists who initially used AI to identify precancerous polyps—then lost that edge once the AI was removed.This episode unpacks how AI isn’t just a helpful assistant—it may be reshaping how physicians think, reason, and make decisions. Unlike a stethoscope or scalpel, which extends physical capabilities, AI intervenes in cognitive processes. What happens when that crutch is suddenly gone?We delve into the subtle but important distinctions between tools that amplify skill and those that risk replacing it. From seasoned practitioners to medical trainees raised on AI support, we ask: what kind of clinician emerges when core diagnostic thinking is offloaded to machines?Through the lens of interaction design, we explore different models for integrating AI—whether as a second reader, background assistant, or tightly scoped tool—and how each impacts long-term expertise. The right design, we argue, could support true human-AI partnerships without compromising clinical judgment.Tune in for a provocative conversation that challenges simplistic narratives about technology in healthcare—and rethinks what it means to be an expert in the age of artificial intelligence.ReferencesAre A.I. Tools Making Doctors Worse at Their Jobs?Teddy RosenbluthThe New York Times, August 28, 2025Endoscopist deskilling risk after exposure to artificial intelligence in colonoscopy: a multicentre, observational studyKrzysztof Budzyń et al. The Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology, 2025Relying on AI in Colonoscopies May Erode Clinicians' SkillsJoedy McCreary MedPage Today, August 12, 2025Expert reaction to observational study looking at detection rate of precancerous growths in colonoscopies by health professionals who perform them before and after the routine introduction of AI Science Media Centre, August 12, 2025Upskilling or deskilling? Measurable role ofan AI-supported training for radiologyresidents: a lesson from the pandemicMattia Savardi et al. Insights into Imaging, European Society of Radiology, 2025AI-induced Deskilling in Medicine: A Mixed-Method Reviewand Research Agenda for Healthcare and BeyondChiara Natali et al. Artificial Intelligence Review, 2025Credits: Theme music: Nowhere Land, Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/