So AI dominated the discussion at last week’s RSNA 2023 meeting. But does that mean it’s finally on the path to widespread clinical use?
Maybe not so much. For a technology that’s supposed to have a revolutionary impact on medicine, AI is taking a frustratingly long time to arrive.
Indeed, there was plenty of skepticism about AI in the halls of McCormick Place last week. (For two interesting looks at AI at RSNA 2023, also see Hugh Harvey, MD’s list of takeaways in a post on X/Twitter and Herman Oosterwijk’s post on LinkedIn.)
But as one executive we talked to pointed out, AI’s advance to routine clinical use in radiology is likely to be more incremental than all at once.
- And from that perspective, last week’s RSNA meeting was undoubtedly positive for AI. Scientific sessions were full of talks on practical clinical applications of AI, from breast AI to CT lung screening.
Researchers also discussed the use of AI apart from image interpretation, with generative AI and large language models taking on tasks from answering patient questions about their reports to helping radiologists with dictation.
It’s fine to be a skeptic (especially when it comes to things you hear at RSNA), but for perspective look at many of the past arguments casting doubt on AI:
- AI algorithms don’t have FDA clearance (the FDA authorized 171 algorithms in just the past year)
- You can’t get paid for using AI clinically (16 algorithms have CPT codes, with more on the way)
- There isn’t enough clinical evidence backing the use of AI (tell that to the authors of MASAI, PERFORMS, and a number of other recent studies with positive findings)
- The AI market is overcrowded with companies and ripe for consolidation (what exciting new growth market isn’t?)
The Takeaway
Sure, it’s taking longer than expected for AI to take hold in radiology. But last week’s conference showed that AI’s incremental revolution is not only advancing but expanding in ways no one expected when IBM Watson was unveiled to an RSNA audience a mere 6-7 years ago. One can only imagine what the field will look like at RSNA 2030.
Looking for more coverage of RSNA 2023? Be sure to check out our videos from the technical exhibit floor, which you can find on our new Shows page.
