Provost of the College of Health Sciences at KNUST, Professor Christian Agyare, has underscored the need for ethical and human-centered approaches in integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into healthcare education.
Speaking at a training session for senior members of the College during the 11th KNUST Summer School, he said that while AI holds immense potential to transform medical and clinical training through tools such as immersive anatomy simulations and drug interaction models, empathy and compassion must remain central to care delivery.
The training session, held under the theme “Integrating AI-Powered Assistance Tools into Healthcare and Clinical Training,” formed part of activities marking the 11th KNUST Summer School, which focuses on digital transformation and the use of AI across academic and professional fields.
Professor Agyare explained that the integration of AI could revolutionise the way healthcare professionals are trained and how patient care is delivered.
“The potential of AI in training the next generation of healthcare professionals is enormous. Imagine medical and nursing students learning anatomy through immersive simulations, or pharmacists using AI-driven drug interaction models to enhance patient safety,” he said.
He, however, emphasised that as AI becomes more embedded in medical education and practice, ethical considerations must guide its use.
“No machine can replace empathy, compassion, and human connection. Our approach must remain patient-centered, ethical, and socially just, with attention to data privacy, inclusivity, and fairness,” he advised.
Also addressing participants, Professor Obed Brew from the Department of Pharmacology highlighted the evolving impact of AI on the roles and competencies of healthcare professionals.
He called for structured steps to ensure responsible adoption of AI within the health sciences. These, he said, include developing formal curricula and competency frameworks, designing targeted training and building trust in AI systems, promoting AI literacy, ethics, and leadership across disciplines.
The rest are: conducting evaluations of AI-related education and outcomes, and ensuring regulatory compliance and progress tracking.
Participants engaged in practical exercises exploring the use of AI tools in both clinical and academic contexts, deepening their understanding of how technology can enhance teaching, learning, and healthcare delivery.
The College of Health Sciences’ training session was one of several college-level engagements following the official opening of the 11th KNUST Summer School, a biennial event aimed at building the capacity of faculty and staff.
