Radiology is at the centre of contemporary medical practice. Radiological imaging is better than ever, there is fusion of structure and function, and molecular imaging is developing very fast. However, radiology faces significant challenges because of the cost of imaging, information overload and the advent of artificial intelligence (AI). Efforts to contain costs by decreasing demand have not proved successful. Similarly, technological developments such as teleradiology and AI are mainly aimed at increasing quality rather than decreasing expense.

AI has developed significantly in recent years and is proving very successful at performing certain tasks where pattern recognition is the main requirement. However, it will not replace radiologists in image interpretation. It will prove to be a useful tool and an ally rather than a competitor.

As AI assumes many routine tasks, radiologists must focus on those aspects of their role that cannot be undertaken by a computer. The best way to enable imaging to reach its potential in modern medicine is for radiologists to become more clinically oriented and to increase their communication with patients and referring physicians.

Educational aim:
• To understand the direction of radiology has to take in the light of current technological developments

0.5 CPD credit
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