Artificial intelligence: the future might already be here

A PubMed search using “artificial intelligence” as the search term identified almost 73,000 distinct manuscripts between 2000 and 2017.1PubMed.gov. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/. Accessed on December 22, 2022.Google Scholar From 2018 to present day, a similar search yielded over 107,000 hits, and >30% of these manuscripts have been published just since January 2022.1PubMed.gov. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/. Accessed on December 22, 2022.Google Scholar Over the last 2 years, Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology, Oral Radiology has published several manuscripts on the potential use of AI, particularly machine learning, in radiologic interpretation and in diagnostic oral pathology. An editorial was recently published in Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology, Oral Pathology focused on the potential role of artificial intelligence (AI) in the diagnosis of oral mucosal lesions and/or oral cancer.2Kolokythas A. Can artificial intelligence (AI) assist in the diagnosis of oral mucosal lesions and/or oral cancer?.Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol. 2022; 134: 413-414Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (3) Google Scholar The future is fast approaching and, with the recent release of open-source AI software, ChatGPT (OpenAI, San Francisco, CA, USA),3ChatGPT. Available at: https://chat.openai.com/chat. Accessed on December 13, 2022.Google Scholar some might argue it is already here. In December 2022, ChatGPT was released to the public and it has quickly become a sensation.3ChatGPT. Available at: https://chat.openai.com/chat. Accessed on December 13, 2022.Google Scholar Curiosity led me to query the chatbot to describe the role of AI in oral pathology, and for the chatbot to actually write an editorial about oral pathology. The resulting outputs were both remarkable and worrisome. Remarkable because of how AI technology has evolved and its potential implications in clinical and diagnostic practice, with further maturation and evolution yet to come, and worrisome because of various ethical considerations that will arise and the impact it might have on education. What follows are actual “conversations” with ChatGPT, each generated within seconds. The questions and chatbot responses are in quotation marks. The responses were modified to fit the stylistic format of the journal; however, none of the actual text was changed. Each response was reviewed by iThenticate plagiarism detection software (Turnitin, LLC, Oakland, CA, USA). This is the same software used by this journal to scan submitted manuscripts for possible plagiarism. None of the chatbot responses yielded >3% similarity with published sources. Note that the responses did not include actual cited references. Question: “Can you write an editorial about oral pathology?” Response: “As oral pathologists, we are dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the mouth and surrounding structures. Our work is critical to the overall health and well-being of individuals, as oral health is closely linked to overall health and can affect a person's ability to eat, speak, and socialize. Despite the importance of our work, oral pathology remains a relatively under-recognized and under-valued specialty within the field of pathology. Many people are unaware of the crucial role that oral pathologists play in diagnosing and treating oral diseases, and as a result, our specialty is often overlooked when it comes to funding, research, and other resources. This lack of recognition and support is particularly concerning given the increasing prevalence of oral diseases. According to the World Health Organization, nearly half of the world's population is affected by oral diseases, including dental caries (tooth decay), periodontal diseases (gum diseases), and oral cancer. These conditions can have serious health consequences, including pain, infection, and even death. Moreover, oral diseases disproportionately affect certain populations, including the elderly, low-income individuals, and those with chronic conditions such as diabetes and HIV/AIDS. The need for effective diagnosis and treatment of oral diseases is clear, and yet oral pathology remains under-resourced and under-supported. This needs to change. Oral pathology is a vital component of the broader field of pathology, and oral pathologists are essential members of the health care team. We need to do more to raise awareness of our work and the value that we bring to patient care. One way to do this is by highlighting the advances and innovations in our field. Over the past few years, there have been many exciting developments in oral pathology, including the use of advanced imaging techniques, the integration of genomic data into diagnostic decision-making, and the development of new treatments and therapies for oral diseases. By sharing these developments with the broader medical community and the public, we can demonstrate the importance of our work and the value that we bring to the health care system. For example, recent research has shown that the use of 3-dimensional imaging can improve the accuracy of oral cancer diagnoses, leading to more effective treatment and better patient outcomes. Similarly, the integration of genomic data into diagnostic decision-making has the potential to improve the accuracy and precision of oral pathology diagnoses, helping to identify the underlying causes of disease and guiding the development of personalized treatment plans. And the development of new treatments and therapies for oral diseases is critical to improving patient outcomes and reducing the burden of these conditions on individuals and society. Another way to raise awareness of oral pathology is by working to improve education and training in our field. Many pathologists receive little or no training in oral pathology during their education and training, which can limit their ability to accurately diagnose and treat oral diseases. We need to work with medical schools, pathology training programs, and professional organizations to ensure that pathologists receive adequate training in oral pathology, so that they can provide the best possible care to their patients. This is particularly important given the increasing complexity of oral pathology diagnoses. With the growing use of advanced imaging techniques, genomic data, and other technologies, oral pathologists must have a deep understanding of these tools and how to interpret their results in order to provide accurate and effective diagnoses. Investing in education and training in oral pathology is essential to ensuring that pathologists have the skills and knowledge they need to provide high-quality care to their patients. Finally, we need to advocate for increased funding and support for oral pathology research. Oral diseases are a significant public health concern, and there is a need for more research into the causes, prevention, and treatment of these conditions. By working to secure funding for oral pathology research, we can help to advance our field and improve patient outcomes. In conclusion, oral pathology is a crucial specialty within the field of pathology, and oral pathologists play a vital role in the health care system. It is important that we work to raise awareness of our work and the value that we bring to patient care, and that we advocate for the resources and support that we need to continue to advance our field and improve patient outcomes.” Next, the software was asked to describe the role of AI in oral pathology: Question: “Describe the role of artificial intelligence in oral pathology.” Response: “Artificial intelligence (AI) can play a role in oral pathology by helping to analyze and interpret images of the mouth, teeth, and surrounding tissues. For example, AI algorithms can be trained to recognize patterns in dental X-rays or tissue samples that may indicate the presence of a particular condition or disease. This can help to improve the accuracy and efficiency of diagnoses, as well as to identify potential issues earlier on, which may lead to better treatment outcomes. In addition to analyzing images, AI algorithms can also be used to process and analyze other types of data, such as patient medical histories or electronic health records, to help identify risk factors for oral conditions or to assist in the development of personalized treatment plans. AI may also be used in the development of new diagnostic tools or therapies for oral diseases. It's important to note that AI is not meant to replace human expertise in oral pathology, but rather to assist and augment the work of pathologists and other oral health care professionals.” When the same question was asked in a slightly different way, the chatbot had a slightly different response, and it was formatted differently: Question: “Does artificial intelligence have a role in oral pathology?” Response: “Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to play a significant role in the field of oral pathology. Some of the ways in which AI might be used include: Assisting with diagnosis: AI algorithms can be trained to recognize patterns in medical images, such as X-rays or biopsy specimens, that might be indicative of specific diseases or conditions. This can help to improve the accuracy and speed of diagnosis. Monitoring disease progression: AI algorithms can be used to track changes in medical images over time, allowing health care professionals to monitor the progression of a disease or condition and make treatment decisions accordingly. Assisting with treatment planning: AI can be used to analyze medical data and provide recommendations for treatment options based on the specific characteristics of an individual's case. Predictive modeling: AI can be used to develop predictive models that can help health care professionals to identify patients who are at high risk of developing certain conditions, allowing for early intervention and preventive care. Overall, AI has the potential to improve the efficiency and accuracy of diagnosis and treatment in the field of oral pathology, and to help health care professionals to provide more personalized care to their patients.” As AI continues to evolve, what was once only imagined may become reality in the not-too-distant future. AI has the potential to transform the landscape of clinical, radiographic and microscopic diagnosis, and education. What may have once been regarded as pseudoscience and “hobby” research can no longer be ignored. As one of the Section Editors for Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology, Oral Radiology, I encourage you to consider this journal as a forum for potential publication of your AI-related research, and as a journal Reviewer for this type of research. We need to begin collectively developing the necessary expertise to ensure the literature in this exploding field is driven by actual science and not the “awe factor.” The AI-generated oral pathology editorial articulated the value and challenges associated with the practice of oral pathology. The future is almost here. As practitioners and academics in this field, we must be willing to embrace what will become a sea change for many of us. None.