Guest Editorial

Abstract

When the movie director Steven Spielberg created the science fiction film ‘A.I.’ in 2001, where David—the humanoid child programmed with the ability to love—sought love and acceptance in and out of the human family, he would not imagine that –almost abruptly—Artificial Intelligence would irreversibly change normal life 20 years later. Artificial intelligence did not appear suddenly in 2022; years of research, experimentations, trials and errors led to many AI applications, with ChatGPT being the one that brought AI into the public eye. Artificial intelligence is so widespread in contemporary society that it affects many aspects of human activity: from GPS maps to robotics and traffic prediction, from facial recognition to Alexa, and from autonomous vehicles to medical imaging analysis and personalized learning platforms, AI underpins numerous applications and digital tools in everyday life, science, education and research. Artificial intelligence involves the theory and development of computer systems capable of performing tasks traditionally carried out by human intelligence.1 The term artificial intelligence was proposed in the 1950's and is currently an umbrella term encompassing Machine Learning, Deep learning and Neural Networks, all being learning algorithms trained with large amounts of data to identify inherent statistical patterns and structures in input data (text, images) and generate relevant responses (output).2 In their Editorial of 2018, Mupparapu et al. referred to AI, deep learning and neural networks as ‘futuristic concepts for dental diagnosis’ and stated that ‘research was underway to train computers with artificial intelligence as the new specialists’. In just a few years, this research yielded revolutionary results, with several commercially available diagnostic software options gradually becoming integrated into dental practice, whereas the large language models such as ChatGPT challenge traditional education. The future is already here! But are we ready to embrace AI and use it thoughtfully and efficiently within (dental) education? A paradigm shift is happening right now, where professionals and educators are asked to adapt to new ways of thinking and doing, which fundamentally change traditional concepts and practices. New concepts and methodologies that reshape the landscape of clinical practice emerge: personalized and predictive dentistry, optimized clinical workflows, instantaneous diagnostics and AI-driven treatment planning, virtual simulations, big data and deep data, and integrated systems supporting holistic care. While clinicians are empowered to deliver optimal and evidence-based care, at the same time they are overwhelmed by the amount of new information and intimidated by the complexity of operational demands: new skills are needed to adapt to the new era and education is called upon to equip both professionals and students with these competencies. Educational activities offered by Universities, scientific organizations, commercial companies, individual experts and professionals' scientific groups in the form of meetings, webinars, presentations and discussion panels are abundant and diverse; yet, more than only new skillsets is needed: a transformation in concepts, perspectives and beliefs. Within this context, (dental) students may be more equipped than working professionals to adapt to the AI era, having grown up with smartphones, apps and social networks, being tech-savvy and possessing a natural facility with digital tools. In preparing the introduction of clinical AI solutions, dental education must cultivate digital literacy among future dental professionals. Scientific context, critical and analytical thinking and ethical approaches are needed to complement students' digital literacy. Yes, ChatGPT is appealing and can 'do the work', but students have to learn to use it responsibly and judiciously for assignments and essays, while understanding its limitations and maintaining the academic integrity. Educators are entrusted with this task, while also advancing their own knowledge and proficiency in AI and digital tools. AI has the potential to revolutionize dental healthcare and dentistry. By harnessing the power of AI and data-driven insights, digital tools will empower educators to deliver transformative education, and clinicians to deliver safe, cutting-edge and personalized care.

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