# The Use of AI by First-Year Medical Students: A Qualitative Study of Perspectives, Usage, and Recommendations

## TL;DR

This study explores how first-year medical students use AI, their perceptions of its benefits and risks, and their recommendations for integrating AI into medical education.

## Contribution

The study provides new insights into AI usage and perceptions among first-year medical students, emphasizing the need for AI literacy in medical curricula.

## Key findings

- Most students use AI for efficiency, personalization, and support in their studies.
- Students expressed concerns about AI reliability, over-reliance, and ethical issues like plagiarism.
- Participants recommended integrating AI literacy into medical education for responsible and critical use.

## Abstract

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reshaping healthcare and medical education, with growing calls to embed it in medical curricula. However, evidence on first-year medical students, perceived benefits and limitations of AI, and views on ethics and professionalism is limited.

A qualitative study was conducted using semi-structured interviews to explore the experiences, attitudes, and perceptions of first-year students regarding AI. Convenience sampling yielded the participant cohort. Recruitment and analysis continued until thematic saturation was achieved. Transcripts were coded iteratively using NVivo software, and a reflexive thematic analysis was undertaken.

Twenty participants were interviewed; 18 were AI users, to varying degrees, and two were non-users. Seven themes emerged: How AI is used; Benefits; Concerns and limitations; Ethical considerations; Advice for peers and professors; Attitudes toward and understanding of AI; and Participation in the project. AI users cited motivations like efficiency, personalization, and support. Benefits included faster access to information, organized content, and tailored explanations. Concerns included AI reliability, over-reliance, and ethical misuse, such as plagiarism. Most supported the inclusion of AI literacy in curricula for responsible, practical, and critical use of AI. Participants with AI literacy demonstrated a deeper understanding of AI.

Students are early adopters of AI, using it in various ways, and wish to utilize it effectively and ethically. Medical curricula should ensure early AI literacy.