The rapid evolution of machine learning and generative artificial intelligence (AI) in medical education and the delivery of patient care is transforming health sector competencies, learning and practice. 

Having commissioned both a Task Force on Research (2018) and another focusing on AI (2019), the Royal College has committed to advancing several priority recommendations. Among these is the establishment of a Research and Evaluation Advisory Committee (REAC) and the delivery of AI-focused educational events. 

Most recently, the Royal College Research and Evaluation unit, in concert with the Data and Informatics Governance Committee of Council, hosted a virtual Research Forum, “Generative AI and medicine: Transforming competence, learning and practice” that saw nearly 1,800 registrants. The event was chaired by Royal College President Brian Hodges, MD, FRCPC, PhD, and associate director, Research and Evaluation, Tanya Horsley, PhD, MBA. The panelists included Lorelei Anne Lingard, FRCPSC (Hon), PhD, professor and senior scientist at Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, and Michael Caesar, MBA, PfMP, chief data & analytics officer at the University Health Network and Bertalan Meskó, MD, PhD, The Medical Futurist and director of The Medical Futurist Institute in Hungary.

Watch the recording of the October 2023 Research Forum.

Fall AI Research Forum

In follow up to the October event and discussions, the Royal College is excited to host another Research Forum which will examine the relationship between AI and assessment. Part of the AI learning series, “At the Intersection of Assessment & Generative Artificial Intelligence: The Future is Now,” will take place in September 2024 and will again be chaired by Dr. Brian Hodges and Tanya Horsley. Additional event details and registration information will be shared in future communications.

In the meantime, our Continuing Professional Development (CPD) team reached out to Royal College-accredited CPD providers to curate a list of upcoming webinars, conferences and resources to support learners in integrating AI into practice.  

Other AI events and resources 

Canadian Medical Protective Association (CMPA):

• Webinar: Navigating AI in healthcare
• June 4, 2024, 12-1 p.m. ET

 Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM) University, Continuing Education and Professional Development

• Conference: Applied Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare: From Compute to Care. Keynote Speaker: Dr. Muhammad Mamdani for NOSM University’s conference, Northern Constellations & Connections
  
• May 3-4, 2024 

Queen's Health Sciences, Continuing Professional Development

• Course: Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare, On-Demand
• Do you trust AI to augment your practice of care? This Section 3-Self Assessment accredited course starts with learning the language of AI and explains how it actually works in a way that anyone can understand. This course explores the ethical conundrums of using AI and helps you find the right balance of trust and scrutiny to guide your decisions on how to best use AI to augment your practice. 

Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, Continuing Professional Development

• Conference: Healthcare Enhanced by AI & Learning (HEAL) 2024
• June 19, 2024