The use of, and attitudes toward, artificial intelligence in members of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine and the European College of Veterinary Internal Medicine - Companion Animals

BACKGROUND: Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly being applied in veterinary medicine, but uptake and knowledge levels have not been widely assessed. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: Determine the use of, attitudes toward, and self-reported knowledge of AI among the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) and European College of Veterinary Internal Medicine - Companion Animals (ECVIM-CA) members. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey-based study was conducted. Responses were summarized, and descriptive statistics were performed. Survey answers were compared between ACVIM and ECVIM-CA members, and between older and younger respondents, using chi-squared or Wilcoxon rank sum tests. RESULTS: Completed survey responses were analyzed for 301 ACVIM members and 155 ECVIM-CA members. Ninety-seven of 155 (63%) ECVIM-CA and 159/300 (53%) ACVIM respondents reported they were "slightly" or "not at all" knowledgeable regarding AI. Of those surveyed, 126 (42%) ACVIM and 51 (33%) ECVIM-CA members routinely use AI tools in their clinical practice, with AI-enhanced medical scribes reported as the most commonly used AI tool. Of ACVIM and ECVIM-CA respondents, 201/299 (67%) and 103/155 (66%), respectively, agree with the statement "AI tools will become standard of care in veterinary medicine." There were no differences in use or knowledge between ACVIM and ECVIM-CA respondents. Younger respondents used AI tools for personal use more frequently than older respondents (P < .0001). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Many ACVIM and ECVIM-CA members are leveraging AI tools in their practice and agree it will become a routine part of our practice. However, the low knowledge base highlights a need to increase AI literacy in veterinary specialty medicine.