A recent study published in the Lancet Gastroenterology and Hepatology reveals that doctors who rely heavily on AI in colonoscopy procedures may become less skilled over time. Conducted across four endoscopy centers in Poland, the study assessed 1,443 colonoscopies before and after AI tools were introduced. Findings indicated that while AI improved detection rates during use, the adenoma detection rate (ADR) significantly dropped when clinicians operated without AI assistance—showing a decrease from 28% to 22%. Researchers attributed this decline to “over-reliance” on AI, likening it to “the Google Maps effect,” which diminishes humans’ navigational abilities without technology. Experts warn that this dependence could weaken diagnostic confidence and vital visual skills. While some argue that increased workloads may have affected performance, caution is advised about the risks of desensitization to critical thinking and decision-making in a future dominated by AI in medicine. Establishing safeguards to maintain essential skills is crucial as AI becomes more integrated into healthcare.
