Nine years ago, AI pioneer Geoffrey Hinton caused a stir in the medical field when he predicted that AI would soon make radiologists obsolete. Today, specialists in radiology are not only surviving, but thriving. The New York Times reports that the field is booming, with a growing demand for experts at a time when there is a shortage of up to 42,000 radiologists and other specialists in the U.S. by 2033.

Rather than taking jobs away, AI has actually become a valuable tool for radiologists. It allows them to quickly measure organs, identify abnormalities, and even detect diseases before traditional methods. At the Mayo Clinic, the number of radiologists has increased by 55% since Hinton’s prediction. The clinic now has a team of 40 AI scientists, researchers, analysts, and engineers who have developed over 250 AI models, including tools for analyzing tissues and predicting diseases.

According to John Halamka, president of the Mayo Clinic Platform, in five years, not using AI in radiology could be considered malpractice. The integration of AI into radiology is revolutionizing the field, enhancing the capabilities of specialists and improving patient care.