Overreliance on AI Reduces Doctors’ Ability to Spot Health Risks by 20%, Study Warns

Recent findings are raising fresh concerns about the growing integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in medicine, as new research reveals that doctors relying heavily on AI systems may become significantly less adept at spotting medical risks without them.

A landmark study published in the Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology tracked 1,443 colonoscopy procedures and found that endoscopists using AI agents achieved higher detection rates—flagging potential polyps 28.4% of the time compared to 22.4% without AI assistance.

However, when required to perform without digital support, doctors' detection rates plummeted by 20%, suggesting the technology may be eroding critical judgment and hands-on diagnostic skills over time.

Lead author Dr. Marcin Romańczyk of H-T Medical Center in Tychy, Poland, called the trend "surprising," warning that the excessive reliance on artificial intelligence as one of the key factors contributing to the drop in detection rates.

"We were taught medicine from books and from our mentors. We observed them. They were telling us what to do, and now there's some artificial object suggesting that we should do, where we should look, and actually we don't know what to behave in that particular case."

The findings echo broader concerns about automation-induced skill decline as medicine transitions from mentorship and textbook learning to algorithm-driven diagnostics.

Workplace Productivity Gains Come at a Cognitive Cost

The implications of AI’s expanding footprint extend well beyond the clinic. In recent years, workplace studies—including research by Microsoft and Carnegie Mellon University—have shown that AI-powered tools can increase productivity by up to 25%.

Yet these gains may come with trade-offs: users often see their independent analytical and judgment skills atrophy when AI systems guide their decisions.

The tragic crash of Air France Flight 447 in 2009 stands as a sobering example, where overreliance on malfunctioning autopilot features led to disaster.

Investigations revealed that pilots lacked the necessary skills to react appropriately after the plane’s flight director system began transmitting erroneous data, underscoring the risks of unchecked faith in automation in high-stakes environments.

Experts Urge Balance Between AI and Human Expertise

Lynn Wu, associate professor at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School, emphasizes the critical need for ongoing human skill development alongside AI adoption, particularly in sectors where safety is paramount.

The consensus among thought leaders is clear: while AI can dramatically enhance outcomes, industries must avoid letting automation erode the very expertise required when technology inevitably falters.

Romańczyk, too, acknowledges that AI is an inescapable aspect of modern medical practice, but urges professionals to proactively study its impact on cognition and commit to refining both their craft and their understanding of machine collaboration.

The steady march of AI into healthcare, aviation, and other vital sectors holds promise for efficiency and better outcomes—but comes with real risks if human expertise is allowed to decline.

Here at coinlive, we believe the greatest advances will come not from blindly embracing automation, but from fostering a culture where AI is a tool to amplify, not replace, sharp clinical judgment and critical thinking.

As industries race to deploy smarter systems, investing in human adaptability and ongoing training will be what keeps innovation both safe and effective.