Leveraging AI to Accelerate Competency-Based Education in the Health Professions

The concurrent uptake of both artificial intelligence (AI) and competency-based health professions education (CBHPE) represents a watershed opportunity to improve and streamline educational processes and enhance educational effectiveness. Members of the International Competency-based Health Professions Educators Collaborative (ICBHPE) explored the potential of AI to strengthen CBHPE implementation by addressing persistent challenges in meeting its five core components: defined outcome competencies; progressive sequencing; tailored learning experiences; competency-focused instruction; and programmatic assessment. Effective integration of AI tools can be guided by socio-technical systems theory (STST), which highlights the significant interdependence of technical systems and social systems. Successful application of AI in HPE will hinge on addressing the complex interactions among people and roles; goals and incentives; workflows and processes; technology; infrastructure; and organizational culture. Health professions educators should enhance their fundamental knowledge of how AI tools are developed and deployed to understand both its potential and its limitations. The HPE community must rigorously evaluate AI applications to ensure responsible and equitable integration that complements human relationships and judgment.