Why is the idea of AI completely replacing physicians a pseudo-problem? A philosophical analysis

Abstract

Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to revolutionize healthcare, but is unlikely to fully replace human doctors. This paper explores the limitations of AI in healthcare, focusing on three key areas: lack of embodiment, limited understanding of meaning in everyday language, and the inability to exercise judgment and clinical reasoning. Recognizing these limitations enables us to use AI to enhance our capabilities rather than allowing it to substitute humans. Following this philosophical examination of AI's limitations, I will argue that the question of whether AI will replace doctors is a misleading one. Instead, this framework advocates for synergistic human-AI collaboration in health-care settings. It necessitates the development of hybrid entities: a physician-AI partnership and a patient-AI interface. The overarching objective is to effectively address the core mission of medicine, which is providing optimal treatment and compassionate care for all patients. This hybrid model must proactively mitigate the risks of AI integration, such as exacerbation of existing health-care challenges and potential dehumanization of patient care. Within this framework, key objectives include: reducing medical errors, fostering humane doctor-patient relationships, mitigating the trend *Corresponding Author Alireza Monajemi Address: No 4, Institute for Humanities and Cultural Studies, Iranshenasi St., Kurdestan Highway, Tehran, Iran. Zip Code: 1437774681 PO Box : 14155 Tel: (+98) 21 88 49 02 09 Email: monajemi@ihcs.ac.ir Received: 24 Dec 2024 Accepted: 6 May 2025 Published: -- May 2025 Citation to this article: Monajemi A. Why is the idea of AI completely replacing physicians a pseudo-problem? A philosophical analysis. J Med Ethics Hist Med. 2025; 18: 1. of medicalization, and ultimately improving overall public health outcomes.