Bridging the AI Gap in Medical Education: A Study of Competency, Readiness, and Ethical Perspectives in Developing Nations
Background: The rapid integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into medical education in developing nations necessitates that educators develop comprehensive AI competencies and readiness. This study explores AI competence and readiness among medical educators in higher education, focusing on the...
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MDPI AG
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Computers |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-431X/14/6/238 |
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| author | Mostafa Aboulnour Salem Ossama M. Zakaria Eman Abdulaziz Aldoughan Zeyad Aly Khalil Hazem Mohamed Zakaria |
| author_facet | Mostafa Aboulnour Salem Ossama M. Zakaria Eman Abdulaziz Aldoughan Zeyad Aly Khalil Hazem Mohamed Zakaria |
| author_sort | Mostafa Aboulnour Salem |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: The rapid integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into medical education in developing nations necessitates that educators develop comprehensive AI competencies and readiness. This study explores AI competence and readiness among medical educators in higher education, focusing on the five key dimensions of the ADELE technique: (A) AI Awareness, (D) Development of AI Skills, (E) AI Efficacy, (L) Leanings Towards AI, and (E) AI Enforcement. Structured surveys were used to assess AI competencies and readiness among medical educators for the sustainable integration of AI in medical education. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a 40-item survey distributed to 253 educators from the Middle East (Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan) and South Asia (India, Pakistan, Philippines). Statistical analyses examined variations in AI competency and readiness by gender and nationality and assessed their predictive impact on the adoption of sustainable AI in medical education. Results: The findings revealed that AI competency and readiness are the primary drivers of sustainable AI adoption, highlighting the need to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application. No significant differences were observed based on gender or discipline, suggesting a balanced approach to AI education. However, ethical perspectives on AI integration varied between Middle East and South Asian educators, likely reflecting cultural influences. Conclusions: This study underscores the importance of advancing from foundational AI knowledge to hands-on applications while promoting responsible AI use. The ADELE technique provides a strategic approach to enhancing AI competency in medical education within developing nations, fostering both technological proficiency and ethical awareness among educators. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-3c846e762bad4792a54b14c1903957ea |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2073-431X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Computers |
| spelling | doaj-art-3c846e762bad4792a54b14c1903957ea2025-08-20T03:24:34ZengMDPI AGComputers2073-431X2025-06-0114623810.3390/computers14060238Bridging the AI Gap in Medical Education: A Study of Competency, Readiness, and Ethical Perspectives in Developing NationsMostafa Aboulnour Salem0Ossama M. Zakaria1Eman Abdulaziz Aldoughan2Zeyad Aly Khalil3Hazem Mohamed Zakaria4Deanship of Development and Quality Assurance, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa 31982, Saudi ArabiaDepartment of Surgery, Pediatric Surgery, College of Medicine, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa 31982, Saudi ArabiaCollege of Education, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa 31982, Saudi ArabiaObour High Institute for Management & Informatics, Cairo 11828, EgyptDepartment of Surgery, College of Medicine, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam 31441, Saudi ArabiaBackground: The rapid integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into medical education in developing nations necessitates that educators develop comprehensive AI competencies and readiness. This study explores AI competence and readiness among medical educators in higher education, focusing on the five key dimensions of the ADELE technique: (A) AI Awareness, (D) Development of AI Skills, (E) AI Efficacy, (L) Leanings Towards AI, and (E) AI Enforcement. Structured surveys were used to assess AI competencies and readiness among medical educators for the sustainable integration of AI in medical education. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a 40-item survey distributed to 253 educators from the Middle East (Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan) and South Asia (India, Pakistan, Philippines). Statistical analyses examined variations in AI competency and readiness by gender and nationality and assessed their predictive impact on the adoption of sustainable AI in medical education. Results: The findings revealed that AI competency and readiness are the primary drivers of sustainable AI adoption, highlighting the need to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application. No significant differences were observed based on gender or discipline, suggesting a balanced approach to AI education. However, ethical perspectives on AI integration varied between Middle East and South Asian educators, likely reflecting cultural influences. Conclusions: This study underscores the importance of advancing from foundational AI knowledge to hands-on applications while promoting responsible AI use. The ADELE technique provides a strategic approach to enhancing AI competency in medical education within developing nations, fostering both technological proficiency and ethical awareness among educators.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-431X/14/6/238artificial intelligenceAI competencyAI readinessethical AIcurriculum AI integrationADELE technique |
| spellingShingle | Mostafa Aboulnour Salem Ossama M. Zakaria Eman Abdulaziz Aldoughan Zeyad Aly Khalil Hazem Mohamed Zakaria Bridging the AI Gap in Medical Education: A Study of Competency, Readiness, and Ethical Perspectives in Developing Nations Computers artificial intelligence AI competency AI readiness ethical AI curriculum AI integration ADELE technique |
| title | Bridging the AI Gap in Medical Education: A Study of Competency, Readiness, and Ethical Perspectives in Developing Nations |
| title_full | Bridging the AI Gap in Medical Education: A Study of Competency, Readiness, and Ethical Perspectives in Developing Nations |
| title_fullStr | Bridging the AI Gap in Medical Education: A Study of Competency, Readiness, and Ethical Perspectives in Developing Nations |
| title_full_unstemmed | Bridging the AI Gap in Medical Education: A Study of Competency, Readiness, and Ethical Perspectives in Developing Nations |
| title_short | Bridging the AI Gap in Medical Education: A Study of Competency, Readiness, and Ethical Perspectives in Developing Nations |
| title_sort | bridging the ai gap in medical education a study of competency readiness and ethical perspectives in developing nations |
| topic | artificial intelligence AI competency AI readiness ethical AI curriculum AI integration ADELE technique |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-431X/14/6/238 |
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