Attitudes Towards Artificial Intelligence Among Dermatologists Working in Saudi Arabia.

Abstract

Artificial intelligence (AI) and its applications are among the most discussed modern technologies today. Despite the rapidly expanding use of AI in medicine, and specifically in dermatology, only a few studies have studied the attitude of physicians toward AI. To recognize the attitudes towards AI among dermatologists in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional survey was done among dermatologists in Saudi Arabia. Questionnaires were distributed through several online channels. Overall, 103 dermatologists filled out the survey. The majority saw very strong or strong potential for AI in the 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. 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.