Stakeholders' perspectives on the future of artificial intelligence in radiology: a scoping review

Objectives Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to impact clinical practice and healthcare delivery. AI is of particular significance in radiology due to its use in automatic analysis of image characteristics. This scoping review examines stakeholder perspectives on AI use in radiology, the benefits, risks, and challenges to its integration. Methods A search was conducted from 1960 to November 2019 in EMBASE, PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, and grey literature. Publications reflecting stakeholder attitudes toward AI were included with no restrictions. Results Commentaries (n = 32), surveys (n = 13), presentation abstracts (n = 8), narrative reviews (n = 8), and a social media study (n = 1) were included from 62 eligible publications. These represent the views of radiologists, surgeons, medical students, patients, computer scientists, and the general public. Seven themes were identified (predicted impact, potential replacement, trust in AI, knowledge of AI, education, economic considerations, and medicolegal implications). Stakeholders anticipate a significant impact on radiology, though replacement of radiologists is unlikely in the near future. Knowledge of AI is limited for non-computer scientists and further education is desired. Many expressed the need for collaboration between radiologists and AI specialists to successfully improve patient care. Conclusions Stakeholder views generally suggest that AI can improve the practice of radiology and consider the replacement of radiologists unlikely. Most stakeholders identified the need for education and training on AI, as well as collaborative efforts to improve AI implementation. Further research is needed to gain perspectives from non-Western countries, non-radiologist stakeholders, on economic considerations, and medicolegal implications.

Automated summary

Stakeholders generally believe that AI can enhance radiology practice and view the replacement of radiologists as unlikely. Most stakeholders express the need for education and training on AI, as well as collaborative efforts to enhance AI implementation. Further research is required to obtain perspectives from non-Western countries, non-radiologist stakeholders, on economic considerations, and medicolegal implications.