Humanistic values of the physician in the era of artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence (AI) has recently been introduced into clinical practice with the potential to revolutionize medicine. AI will provide the physician with unlimited power, which is almost impossible to foresee at present. In addition, AI can be used for the development of pharmacologic agents and antibodies with unprecedented accuracy and speed. AI will assist the physician in defining individuals at high risk for developing a certain disease and, in turn, provide appropriate care to delay or prevent the disease. Using vast information related to a certain disease, the physician will be able to apply individualized care in contrast to the current approach based on guidelines where "one size fits all." With prevention and individualized care, the cost of health care will decrease, human suffering will diminish, and overall mortality will decline. However, in this endless evolution of medicine, the role of the physician remains constant, which is to maintain the health of a human being. In addition to diagnosis and management, the physician should apply common sense, courage, and compassion when dealing with the difficulties of human life that may escape machines. Humanistic values, among others, are basic for the caring physician. Thus, the humanistic approach to the patient and the divine vocation of the physician should never be forgotten and should be based on a solid ethical foundation. The greatest challenge for physicians and medical leadership in the 21st century will not be living with and adapting to changing technology, but determining the proper balance between clinical wisdom and evolving technology.