King Saud University Integrates AI into Medical Curriculum

King Saud University's College of Medicine, in collaboration with the university's Artificial Intelligence Office, has integrated artificial intelligence (AI) into its first-year curriculum. The learning skills course now includes new educational objectives on AI and its applications in healthcare, aligning the curriculum with Saudi Vision 2030 and the digital transformation of the healthcare sector.

 According to Dean of the College of Medicine Dr. Bandar Aljafen, this move reflects the college's commitment to developing medical education and keeping pace with global digital shifts. The goal is to equip future doctors with the skills necessary to combine academic knowledge with technological expertise, while also fostering scientific competence and ethical awareness.

 Associate Professor at the College of Medicine's Medical Education Department Dr. Samar Binkheder said that the new objective aims to build AI literacy from the beginning of a student's medical education. The curriculum encourages students to engage with AI tools thoughtfully and to develop critical thinking skills regarding their positive and negative impacts on medical practice. A special committee of experts in health AI, health informatics, and medical education was formed to incorporate these objectives using the highest academic standards.

 The revised course, which began this academic year, uses interactive teaching methods. Students learn to use generative AI tools to support their academic and training tasks while adhering to ethical values and promoting transparency and reliability.