AI came for radiologists jobs. So far, they are simply more effective.

Nine years ago, one of the main scientists of artificial intelligence in the world distinguished a professional species disappearing.

“People should stop training radiologists now,” said Geoffrey Hinton, adding that it was “simply obvious” that in the five years, AI would outdo humans in this area.

Today, radiologists – doctors specializing in medical imaging who look inside the body to diagnose and treat the disease – are still in great demand. A recent study by the American College of Radiology projected a growing workforce until 2055.

Dr. Hinton, who received a Nobel Prize in physics last year for pioneering research in AI, was far from right that technology would have a significant impact – but not as a job killer.

This is true for Mayo Clinic radiologists, one of the country’s first medical systems, the main campus of which is in Rochester, Minnesota. There, in recent years, they have started using AI to sharpen images, automate routine tasks, identify medical anomalies and predict disease. AI can also serve as a “second set of eyes”.

“But would he replace the radiologists? We do not think it,” said Dr. Matthew Callstrom, president of the Radiology of the Mayo clinic, recalling the 2016 prediction. “We knew how difficult it is and all that is involved.”