AI in MS: IJMSC Survey Results

Artificial intelligence (AI) is emerging as a transformative force in medicine. From accelerating drug discovery, analyzing complex genomic data to improving diagnostics, and automating image analysis to see beyond human capabilities, AI is fundamentally reshaping how we care for patients. It also continues to shape how we perform research and write about that research by extending beyond the well-accepted spell and grammar checkers to apps that can write complete papers when fed enough information. Finally, as a journal, the International Journal of Multiple Sclerosis Care (IJMSC) sees that AI could level the playing field for authors around the world, but know that the ethical standards we adhere to through our professional organizations do not allow AI to be an author. Though the excitement is palpable as we see the possibilities of AI in these 3 areas, there is also caution as the field considers ethical questions about its use and worries about it being given free rein. From hallucinations, to learned bias from data, to obscuring clinical reasoning, there is much to be concerned about, but the future beckons. Could AI’s skills at pattern recognition allow people with multiple sclerosis (MS) to be diagnosed before damage takes place? Could a digital twin predict a person’s disease progression?

Throughout October, the IJMSC community had the opportunity to complete a survey on AI. Respondents answered questions about how they are currently using AI, how they hoped to use it in the future, and how they felt about its use in MS care, research, and publication. We had 90 responses from around the world. Respondents represented all facets of MS care, including neurologists, MS nurses, rehabilitation professionals, advanced practice providers, researchers, social workers, mental health professionals, MS advocates, and people with MS. This snapshot provides a glimpse of the sentiments and opinions of our community.

A sneak peek at the survey results—watch the video for a complete assessment!

When asked whether they were prepared for AI to be a more permanent part of their workplace, 36% of respondents are ready and waiting, but they are working alongside a larger, less sure cohort, with 23.6% answering that they were a little worried and 28.1% not quite sure what to feel.

And the biggest worry? That AI will make a mistake: 30.7% of respondents felt this way. Ethical concerns followed, with 25% endorsing the worry that AI will misuse confidential data.

But even with their concerns, respondents see that AI is here to stay. A little less than 50% think that in 10 years, AI will be used for specific tasks without concern and 34.1% think that it will be completely integrated into their workflows.

Hear more from IJMSC's editors on AI and MS care and AI and publication.