Doctors warned to embrace AI or risk losing jobs to tech

Medical professionals were advised to adopt digital medical practices, or they may face job displacement due to technological advancements. This warning was conveyed by experts and experienced practitioners during workshops at the three-day World Health Expo in Johannesburg. The experts stressed that doctors must adapt to technology and AI, seeing them as valuable medical tools rather than threats to their profession.

They explained that AI will not replace doctors' jobs as long as they embrace it and utilize it to improve their work. Instead, those who resist adopting new technologies risk becoming obsolete. A Zimbabwean doctor emphasized the need for digital literacy to fully harness the benefits of AI. The panel generally agreed that regulations have been slow in keeping up with the rapid pace of innovations.

However, they also expressed concern that excessive regulation could impede technological progress and leave patient safety at risk. Some audience members worried that AI and technology might marginalize traditional healers and isolate traditional medicine. In South Africa, the collaboration between traditional healers and Western medical practitioners has been beneficial, and it was suggested that traditional healers should also embrace technology to maintain their close ties with Western practitioners and researchers.