Applications of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) in medicine are far-reaching and advancing rapidly.1Topol E.J. High-performance medicine: the convergence of human and artificial intelligence.Nat Med. 2019; 25: 44-56Crossref PubMed Scopus (1127) Google Scholar In gastroenterology, AI and, more specifically, ML have been used for a wide array of applications, such as polyp detection, histologic analysis, report generation, and reduction of fluoroscopy.2Le Berre C. Sandborn W.J. Aridhi S. et al.Application of artificial intelligence to gastroenterology and hepatology.Gastroenterology. 2020; 158: 76-92Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (121) Google Scholar Even with the many different types of methods used, a uniting factor is the goal of accurate automated predictive capacities for the clinical task at hand.2Le Berre C. Sandborn W.J. Aridhi S. et al.Application of artificial intelligence to gastroenterology and hepatology.Gastroenterology. 2020; 158: 76-92Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (121) Google Scholar,3Sharma P. Pante A. Gross S.A. Artificial intelligence in endoscopy.Gastrointest Endosc. 2019; 91: 925-931Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (14) Google Scholar AI has been used for detection; these systems have been designed so an algorithm functions as a “second observer” to aid the endoscopist in identifying on-screen lesions.4Urban G. Tripathi P. Alkayali T. et al.Deep learning localizes and identifies polyps in real time with 96% accuracy in screening colonoscopy.Gastroenterology. 2018; 155: 1069-1078Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (290) Google Scholar, 5Wang P. Berzin T.M. Brown J.R. et al.Real-time automatic detection system increases colonoscopic polyp and adenoma detection rates: a prospective randomised controlled study.Gut. 2019; 68: 1813-1819Crossref PubMed Scopus (258) Google Scholar, 6Mori Y. Kudo S.E. Misawa M. et al.Real-time use of artificial intelligence in identification of diminutive polyps during colonoscopy: a prospective study.Ann Intern Med. 2018; 169: 357-366Crossref PubMed Scopus (191) Google Scholar Examples of detection algorithms are detection of polyps from the colonoscopy feed or detecting GI bleeds or lesions from capsule endoscopy.7Saito H. Aoki T. Aoyama K. et al.Automatic detection and classification of protruding lesions in wireless capsule endoscopy images based on a deep convolutional neural network.Gastrointest Endosc. 2020; 92: 144-151Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (48) Google Scholar AI has also been used for diagnostic purposes. These systems mainly function to characterize on-screen lesions; examples of diagnostic algorithms are delineation of dysplasia in the setting of Barrett’s esophagus and inflammatory bowel disease.8de Groof A.J. Struyvenberg M.R. van der Putten J. et al.Deep-learning system detects neoplasia in patients with barrett’s esophagus with higher accuracy than endoscopists in a multi-step training and validation study with benchmarking.Gastroenterology. 2019; 158: 915-929Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (88) Google Scholar, 9Hashimoto R. Requa J. Tyler D. et al.Artificial intelligence using convolutional neural networks for real-time detection of early esophageal neoplasia in Barrett’s esophagus (with video).Gastrointest Endosc. 2020; 91: 1264-1271Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (51) Google Scholar, 10Thakkar S.J. Kochhar G.S. Artificial intelligence for real-time detection of early esophageal cancer: another set of eyes to better visualize.Gastrointest Endosc. 2020; 91: 52-54Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (9) Google Scholar Additionally, AI has been used for examination quality assessments for both endoscopy and colonoscopy through blind spot monitoring and calculation of the percentage of surface area visualized.11Wu L. Zhang J. Zhou W. et al.Randomised controlled trial of WISENSE, a real-time quality improving system for monitoring blind spots during esophagogastroduodenoscopy.Gut. 2019; 68: 2161-2169Crossref PubMed Scopus (108) Google Scholar, 12Thakkar S. Carleton N.M. Rao B. et al.Use of artificial intelligence-based analytics from live colonoscopies to optimize the quality of the colonoscopy exam in real-time: proof of concept.Gastroenterology. 2020; 158: 1219-1222Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (15) Google Scholar, 13Su J.R. Li Z. Shao X.J. et al.Impact of a real-time automatic quality control system on colorectal polyp and adenoma detection: a prospective randomized controlled study (with videos).Gastrointest Endosc. 2020; 91: 415-424Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (75) Google Scholar Finally, AI has been used for data mining. These systems comb through electronic medical records to mine important clinical information for predictive purposes14Wu C.C. Yeh W.C. Hsu W.D. et al.Prediction of fatty liver disease using machine learning algorithms.Comput Methods Progr Biomed. 2019; 170: 23-29Crossref PubMed Scopus (64) Google Scholar; examples of these systems are mining clinical and lab values over time for prognosis of cirrhosis progression, calculation of adenoma detection rates, and prediction of the severity of acute pancreatitis. Further, a number of recent clinical trials have vastly moved AI to the forefront. AI applications to gastroenterology have led the way in the establishment of clinical evidence because many of the first clinical trials that tested AI across all medical specialties were in gastroenterology. These trials have primarily focused on finding adenomas during colonoscopy5Wang P. Berzin T.M. Brown J.R. et al.Real-time automatic detection system increases colonoscopic polyp and adenoma detection rates: a prospective randomised controlled study.Gut. 2019; 68: 1813-1819Crossref PubMed Scopus (258) Google Scholar,13Su J.R. Li Z. Shao X.J. et al.Impact of a real-time automatic quality control system on colorectal polyp and adenoma detection: a prospective randomized controlled study (with videos).Gastrointest Endosc. 2020; 91: 415-424Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (75) Google Scholar,15Wang P. Liu X. Berzin T.M. et al.Effect of a deep-learning computer-aided detection system on adenoma detection during colonoscopy (CADe-DB trial): a double-blind randomised study.Lancet Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2020; 5: 343-351Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (109) Google Scholar,16Gong D. Wu L. Zhang J. et al.Detection of colorectal adenomas with a real-time computer-aided system (ENDOANGEL): a randomised controlled study.Lancet Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2020; 5: 352-361Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (80) Google Scholar and for detection of blind spots on upper endoscopy examination.11Wu L. Zhang J. Zhou W. et al.Randomised controlled trial of WISENSE, a real-time quality improving system for monitoring blind spots during esophagogastroduodenoscopy.Gut. 2019; 68: 2161-2169Crossref PubMed Scopus (108) Google Scholar Notably, the first double-blind trial was published in 2020 and showed that the adenoma detection rate was significantly greater for physicians using the computer-aided detection system (34%) versus those who were using a sham system (28%).15Wang P. Liu X. Berzin T.M. et al.Effect of a deep-learning computer-aided detection system on adenoma detection during colonoscopy (CADe-DB trial): a double-blind randomised study.Lancet Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2020; 5: 343-351Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (109) Google Scholar Additional trials are now underway in the United States to further investigate these systems. Studies are likely to evaluate the effect of computer-aided detection systems on the incidence of interval colorectal cancers in the future. Despite the progress of AI technologies, challenges remain. Understandability and explainability of AI and ML algorithms are chief concerns.17Carleton N.M. Thakkar S. How to approach and interpret studies on AI in gastroenterology.Gastroenterology. 2020; 159: 428-432Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (2) Google Scholar Many physicians still describe AI technologies as “black box” systems without ways to understand how algorithms are developed, trained, and validated—and ultimately what their predictive result might mean for clinical practice. Many have discussed the lack of explainability of AI algorithms and suggest addressing this issue as a prerequisite for translatability of AI technologies into clinical practice. Further, garnering physician involvement in the development of these systems early on could perhaps augment downstream clinical integration. Although a growing number of physicians around the world are involved in AI-related research applications to gastroenterology, many still have concerns about its clinical use. As a first step to understanding these concerns, we developed a short survey geared toward physicians who are not currently involved with AI research in gastroenterology. In this 10-question section, questions surrounding the most interesting AI applications, main concerns for AI integration into clinical practice, and anticipated startup costs were assessed (for additional methods, see Supplementary Methods and Appendix 1, available online at www.giejournal.org). A total of 165 participants filled out the survey. We found a number of informative results when assessing survey response data, summarized in Table 1. We first assessed respondents’ interests in a number of popular applications of AI-based research. Polyp characterization and polyp detection were by far the areas that garner the most interest. Further, nearly two-thirds of respondents were interested in quality controls for either colonoscopy or endoscopy. Next, we sought to identify some of the barriers precluding respondents from engaging in AI-based research. Most respondents (61.2%) who were unfamiliar with AI were unsure of how to start an AI-related study. Other essential barriers in starting an AI study were a limitation of available time to investigators (46.5%) and a lack of financial support (45.7%). Finally, 61.2% of respondents identified a lack of collaboration with either data scientists or other clinicians as a concern.Table 1Questions assessing perspectives of AI in gastroenterology and endoscopy and response from those not currently involved in AI researchQuestions and responsesPercentage of respondentsWhat specific AI-based areas of focus interest you the most? Polyp detection67.44 Polyp characterization58.14 Quality controls for colonoscopy40.31 Quality controls for upper endoscopy26.36 AI for extraction of electronic health record data38.76 AI for capsule endoscopy42.64 AI for detection of GI bleeds39.53What are some of the main barriers to your involvement in the AI research space? Limited time46.51 Limited financial support45.74 Lack of data scientist collaborators36.43 Lack of clinician collaborators24.81 Unsure of how to set up an AI study61.24What are your concerns with AI use in gastroenterology practice? Ethical4.84 Data/patient information security32.36 Replacement of physicians by machines37.10 Will make you less efficient in caring for patients17.74Do you believe the natural progression of AI will Improve your efficiency61.24 Increase your workload12.40 Make you obsolete in caring for patients7.75 Help you provide better value care68.99Assuming clear evidence of benefit to patients, what do you believe is most important for healthy adoption of AI in gastroenterology? Improvement to efficiency in workflow41.41 Reduction of medical legal risk5.47 Reproducible outcomes from AI systems41.41 Reduction of physician fatigue and burnout8.59What do you anticipate is the necessary investment to kickstarting a project in AI? $0-$25,00014.73 $25,000-$50,00020.16 $50,000-$100,00024.03 >$100,00035.66How well do you understand descriptions of AI methods described in published studies? I seem to understand most of what is reported25.58 I am confused by the AI methods presented in the study25.58 I only look at the clinical relevance of an AI study when it is published48.84Are you familiar with any programing language? Yes13.18 No86.82Would you like to see more information put forth from the various gastroenterology professional societies regarding AI? Yes80.62 Not necessary at this time19.38Have you attended any conferences or courses related to AI? Yes12.40 No46.51 No, but I am interested in learning more about the field of AI by attending an event41.09AI, Artificial intelligence. Open table in a new tab AI, Artificial intelligence. When it came to assessing the concerns of respondents related to the use of AI in medicine, 37.1% of the respondents believed that AI had the potential to replace physicians at some point in the future. Additionally, 32% expressed concern with data security and protecting patient information, although most did not believe that AI entering clinical spaces represented an ethical problem. Additionally, most recipients reported problems understanding the methodology of AI publications, leading them to only consider their clinical relevance. Despite these concerns, most respondents were enthusiastic about the progression of AI: 68.9% predicted it will improve healthcare quality and 61.2% predicted it will improve efficiency. The results of this survey can help guide our approach to engaging more physicians in AI-related research, leaving many opportunities to proactively generate novel approaches. First, these results indicate that future initiatives should address barriers that preclude physicians from being involved in AI research. This includes finding roles for physicians on AI teams whether or not they have a computational background. Although many of our respondents do not have a computational background, this does not preclude them from working in groups or collaborating with data scientists who can develop the computational, algorithmic side to studies. Having more physicians involved in AI-related research would allow for more perspectives to improve the way we design, develop, and ultimately report methodology and findings in a way that is understandable to a broader audience. However, to involve more physicians, additional avenues for pilot funding are needed. When asked about barriers to taking up AI projects, most of our respondents stated a lack of sufficient time and lack of funding as primary factors. Although these 2 factors are always cited as a barrier to all types of research, they are unique when it comes to AI. For many research-related initiatives, various funding platforms for clinical research exist, including National Institutes of Health funding and funding from different GI societies. However, no such structured funding exists for piloting AI studies. Most AI studies are funded in partnership with industry. Professional GI societies could also include special funding opportunities for AI projects, which would further help provide a pathway for members to engage in more AI-related projects. Although adequate funding will depend on each project, our respondents found that over $100,000 is required to translate their initial project ideas into substantive outcomes. Second, many survey respondents had trouble understanding published AI studies in the gastroenterology literature. These respondents were also concerned with reproducible outcomes from AI systems. This finding should guide the field to consider additional ways to explain methodology that is readily interpretable by clinicians. Journals can also implement sections of these AI-related articles to include short boxes highlighting “Key Methods and Outcomes.” With a renewed focus across medicine and science with rigor and reproducibility, recent efforts have been published that outline a checklist of key elements that should be described in all ML articles.18van der Sommen F. de Groof J. Struyvenberg M. et al.Machine learning in GI endoscopy: practical guidance in how to interpret a novel field.Gut. 2020; 69: 2035-2045Crossref PubMed Scopus (26) Google Scholar This checklist should perhaps be enforced at all journals reporting AI and ML studies. Further, as more prospective clinical trials rigorously test these new systems, there is a growing need for transparency and proper reporting. A recent article proposed an extension of the CONSORT reporting guidelines, CONSORT-AI, for proper reporting of clinical trials involving AI.19Liu X. Rivera S.C. Moher D. et al.Reporting guidelines for clinical trial reports for interventions involving artificial intelligence: the CONSORT-AI extension.Nat Med. 2020; 26: 1364-1374Crossref PubMed Scopus (93) Google Scholar These guidelines recommend 14 new items to be added to the core requirements, which will include instructions and skills required for use, guidance for intended human–AI interaction for optimal use, and an analysis and considerations in the event of error. Adopting both guidelines set forth by van der Sommen et al18van der Sommen F. de Groof J. Struyvenberg M. et al.Machine learning in GI endoscopy: practical guidance in how to interpret a novel field.Gut. 2020; 69: 2035-2045Crossref PubMed Scopus (26) Google Scholar and Liu et al19Liu X. Rivera S.C. Moher D. et al.Reporting guidelines for clinical trial reports for interventions involving artificial intelligence: the CONSORT-AI extension.Nat Med. 2020; 26: 1364-1374Crossref PubMed Scopus (93) Google Scholar will greatly enhance the rigor and reproducibility of AI studies and clinical trials and will help the casual reader to critically appraise AI literature. Third, another key finding of our survey was that an overwhelming majority of our respondents wanted to see more information related to AI that could be put forth by professional gastroenterology societies. A large proportion of respondents lacked the technical skills to start their own AI-related research. We believe these findings present an opportunity for all professional GI societies to have AI-related education topics. In addition to having articles in journals, webinars and educational podcasts should also be used. Last year under the leadership of the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, a task force was specifically established to explore opportunities related to AI in endoscopy. Additionally, the first Global Conference on AI in Gastroenterology and Endoscopy was held in September 2019, bringing together physicians, industry, and regulatory agency representatives.20Parasa S. Wallace M. Bagci U. et al.Proceedings from the First Global Artificial Intelligence in Gastroenterology and Endoscopy Summit.Gastrointest Endosc. 2020; 92: 938-945Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (16) Google Scholar Finally, for the past 3 years, a computer-aided diagnosis in colonoscopy meeting has occurred at the annual Digestive Disease Week. Such meetings, special task forces, and more AI-related sessions at national GI meetings would help impart the relevant AI-related skills to the community. The opportunity lies herein for professional societies to consider having AI-related subcommittees within societies and foundations to disseminate knowledge in a variety of media with regard to AI. Additionally, keeping the future in mind, we believe it is imperative to include AI in the GI fellowship curriculum. Fellows currently in training should have at least some elective time to focus on or be exposed to areas related to AI. For programs that are part of significant universities, resources are typically available on campus for their trainees to divulge in the field of AI. For programs that do not have such resources, distant learning opportunities designed by professional GI societies and foundations could be created in collaboration with current users of AI in GI. Further, opportunities for visiting fellowships to centers with expertise in AI could be considered. As societies develop AI committees and task forces, AI Centers of Excellence may become a natural progression. Such centers could play a pivotal role in pioneering trainee education. Finally, for those interested in developing AI projects, we provide a proposed algorithm to optimize success of this rapidly evolving field (Fig. 1). In our experience (N.M.C., S.T.)12Thakkar S. Carleton N.M. Rao B. et al.Use of artificial intelligence-based analytics from live colonoscopies to optimize the quality of the colonoscopy exam in real-time: proof of concept.Gastroenterology. 2020; 158: 1219-1222Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (15) Google Scholar,17Carleton N.M. Thakkar S. How to approach and interpret studies on AI in gastroenterology.Gastroenterology. 2020; 159: 428-432Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (2) Google Scholar the ability to develop AI software requires close collaboration with a data scientist. Small institutional seed funding that generated initial data paved the way for larger proposals that can provide substantial funding to allow recruitment of Masters and PhD candidate support and medical research fellows. Such support teams are necessary to create secure recording and image capture platforms, secure transfer of data, create cross-pollination of knowledge between medical and data scientists, and maintain HIPAA compliant formats and managing Institution Review Board protocols with data-sharing agreements. Once the innovation has developed, rigorous utilization in test sets determines the opportunity of commercialization versus further iterations through lab to bench to bedside algorithm training. AI in gastroenterology is an area poised to make a difference in the way we practice and provide high-quality care to patients. Most believe that AI can help us improve clinical efficiency and improve our patient care. In this article, we outline a number of suggestions to increase the involvement of gastroenterologists in AI-related research. Such strategies can support ongoing initiatives to boost the field of AI in gastroenterology for years to come.