In a groundbreaking development that is set to reshape the future of veterinary medicine, a researcher at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (VMBS) has discovered innovative ways for veterinarians to leverage artificial intelligence (AI) tools in both clinical settings and educational environments.

Dr. Candice Chu, an assistant professor in the VMBS’ Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, has developed a cutting-edge study tool for veterinary students called VetClinPathGPT, which utilizes the power of ChatGPT technology to assist students in learning the complex field of clinical pathobiology. This revolutionary tool allows students to “chat” with the AI, asking questions, clarifying concepts, and even generating their own study questions – a game-changing development in veterinary education.

“Imagine having a microscope connected to a camera with AI capability, so students can look down at their slides and essentially have a clinical pathologist there to explain what they’re seeing,” Dr. Chu said. “They could ask the AI, ‘What’s that cell?’ and it could tell them not only the type but also how to identify it.”

But the potential of AI in veterinary medicine extends far beyond the classroom. Dr. Chu has also outlined a range of applications for this transformative technology to increase efficiency and expand the capabilities of veterinary educators and clinicians.

“AI is a powerful assistant that can help clinicians, educators and students reduce the time spent on repetitive work,” Dr. Chu explained. “By reducing repetitive tasks, individuals can spend their time on the most important parts of their work, like completing assignments or helping students and patients.”

One such application involves the use of AI-assisted record-keeping, which could free up clinicians’ time for more direct patient care. Dr. Chu envisions a tool that can efficiently sift through medical records and pull relevant information, streamlining the documentation process.

While the integration of AI into veterinary medicine faces challenges, such as concerns over patient privacy, Dr. Chu believes that customizable, secure AI tools are on the horizon. She emphasizes that the goal is not for AI to replace veterinary professionals, but rather to create a collaborative partnership that enhances diagnostic, teaching, and learning abilities.

“Neither are perfect on their own, so bringing them together increases our ability to diagnose, teach and learn,” Dr. Chu said. “One thing I tell people is not to worry that AI will replace you; it’s the person who knows how to use AI who will replace you. I think that in the future, knowing how to incorporate this technology will be a basic requirement for being an efficient and competitive veterinary educator in the job market.”

As Dr. Chu continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible with AI in veterinary medicine, the field is poised for a transformative shift – one that promises to improve patient outcomes, streamline educational processes, and empower veterinary professionals to deliver even higher levels of care.

https://today.tamu.edu/2024/08/20/texas-am-researcher-explores-benefits-of-ai-in-veterinary-medicine-education/