Saudi Radiology Personnel's Perceptions of Artificial Intelligence Implementation: A Cross-Sectional Study

Area of Science:

• Radiology
• Medical Imaging
• Artificial Intelligence

Background:

• Artificial intelligence (AI) in radiology is debated, with concerns about its diagnostic capabilities compared to human radiologists.
• Opacity in AI functionality and lengthy validation processes contribute to reluctance in AI adoption.
• Understanding AI's impact on radiology personnel is crucial for its effective integration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the familiarity of Saudi radiology personnel with AI applications.
• To assess the perceived usefulness of AI in clinical radiology practice.
• To determine the acceptance level and trust in AI among radiology professionals.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional survey was conducted among radiology personnel in Saudi Arabia (March-April 2021).
• An electronic questionnaire assessed AI knowledge, usefulness, acceptance, and trust.
• Kruskal-Wallis test was used for group comparisons.

Main Results:

• 224 radiology personnel participated; 82% had not used AI in their departments.
• Radiologists showed the lowest trust in AI applications (p=0.033).
• 71.4% lacked formal AI education, yet 95.5% expressed strong interest in AI education and incorporation into practice.

Conclusions:

• Radiology personnel's AI knowledge directly influences their willingness to learn and adopt AI.
• A positive attitude and high motivation for AI integration were observed.
• Concerns about job security due to AI exist but can be addressed through training and education.