The Intersection of Artificial Intelligence and Medical Education: A Narrative Review of Trends, Innovations, and Ethical Boundaries

Document Type : Narrative Review

Authors

Medical Sciences Education Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

Abstract

Background: Artificial intelligence (AI) has rapidly emerged as a transformative force in medical education, reshaping the ways medical knowledge is delivered, assessed, and applied. With advances in personalized learning, intelligent tutoring systems, and virtual simulations, AI has created unprecedented opportunities to reimagine teaching and learning environments in medicine.
Method: This study is a limited review categorized as a traditional narrative review, conducted descriptively using conceptual and inferential analysis at the theoretical level, with the aim of exploring the applications of AI in medical education. A literature search was carried out in PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar databases using the keywords “artificial intelligence”, “medical education”, “adaptive learning”, “simulation” and “ethical challenges” covering the period between 2018 and 2025. Based on eligibility criteria, 47 relevant articles were identified, extracted, and reviewed.
Results: The analysis of the reviewed studies revealed that the applications of AI in medical education can be classified into five major domains: (1) personalized learning, (2) advanced simulations and intelligent assessment, (3) development of innovative tools and technological innovations, (4) a forward-looking perspective on AI’s role in transforming medical education, and (5) existing challenges, including insufficient infrastructure, the need for specialized training, as well as ethical and legal concerns regarding the use of data and algorithms.
Conclusion: Intelligent technologies, particularly AI, offer significant potential to enhance medical education through personalized learning, clinical simulation, and intelligent assessment. However, realizing the full potential of these technologies requires overcoming challenges such as inadequate infrastructure, ethical considerations, and the need to empower faculty members.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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Future of Medical Education Journal
Volume 15, Issue 3
Special Issue on Artificial Intelligence
September 2025
Pages 29-36

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