Attitudes Towards Artificial intelligence Among Dermatologists Working in Saudi Arabia

Fatima Al-Ali; Sam Polesie; John  Paoli; Mohammed  Aljasser; Louai Salah

doi:10.5826/dpc.1301a35

Attitudes Towards Artificial intelligence Among Dermatologists Working in Saudi Arabia

Authors

Fatima Al-Ali Department of Internal Medicine, King Hamad University Hospital, Muharraq, Bahrain
Sam Polesie Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden . Region Västra Götaland, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Gothenburg, Sweden
John Paoli Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden , Region Västra Götaland, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Gothenburg, Sweden
Mohammed Aljasser College of Medicine, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Division of Dermatology, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Louai Salah Dermatology Department, East Jeddah General Hospital, Ministry of Health, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Keywords:

Dermatologists, Artificial intelligence, Attitudes

Abstract

Introduction: Artificial intelligence (AI) and its application are one of the most discussed modern technologies nowadays. With the rapid use of AI in medicine, and specifically in dermatology, only a few studies have studied the attitude of physicians toward AI.

Objective: To recognize the attitudes towards AI among dermatologists in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was done among dermatologists in Saudi Arabia. Questionnaires were distributed through several online channels.

Results: Overall, 103 dermatologists filled out the survey. The majority saw very strong or strong potential for AI in automated detection of skin diseases based on dermatological clinical images (50.9%), dermoscopic images (66.6%), and within dermatopathology (66.6%). In regard to results of attitudes towards AI, 56.6% and 52. 8% agreed that AI will revolutionize medicine and dermatology, respectively. However, many of the respondents disagreed that AI will replace physicians (41.5%) and human dermatologists (39.6%) in the future.. Age did not impact the overall attitude of dermatologists.

Conclusion: Dermatologists in Saudi Arabia showed an optimistic attitude towards AI in dermatology and medicine. However, dermatologists believe that AI will not replace humans in the future.

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