Amalio Telenti, CEO of Trail Biomed, a Swiss biotechnology company, was awarded the 2023 I Health Award from LA NUEVA ESPAÑA and is listed among the most cited scientists in the world according to Clarivate 2025. In light of the recent recognitions of Dr. María Neira and Dr. Fernando López, leaders in public health and clinical excellence, I reflect on the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) in medicine, hoping that the example of the awardees inspires in this new era. Many patients have felt frustrated seeing their doctors spend a significant part of the consultation writing on the computer. Healthcare professionals, in turn, are overwhelmed by increasing bureaucracy. Quality consultation time, with attention and empathy, has become a scarce commodity. Medicine is undergoing a revolution thanks to AI-based intelligent agents: systems capable of listening during consultations, transcribing information into medical records, analyzing symptoms and diagnostic data, searching for relevant information, validating decisions, drafting documents, and managing their delivery. These assistants can work alongside healthcare staff or autonomously, facilitating their work. In the United States, AI scribes already participate in 30% of medical consultations, and their use continues to rise. Studies indicate they can reduce documentation time by 20% to 30%. Understanding their functioning and implications is key. Paradoxically, these technological tools can restore humanity to medical consultations and relieve pressure on overwhelmed systems, as well as bring specialized care to underserved areas. What are intelligent agents? They are systems capable of perceiving their environment, reasoning, and making decisions without relying on fixed instructions. They are the evolution of technologies like large language models (e.g., ChatGPT). They can assist in various tasks: one summarizes the medical history, another manages appointments. Their goal is not to replace professionals but to enhance their capabilities and improve care. How are they integrated into medical practice? Integration is already a reality. In radiology, they help identify lesions in medical images; in cardiology, they predict arrhythmias from electrocardiograms. In health centers, virtual assistants gather medical history, prepare reports, and follow up on chronic patients. In hospitals, they manage schedules, prioritize urgent results, and monitor vital signs to anticipate risks. Final decisions remain human. How are they evaluated? The validation of these systems is rigorous. They undergo clinical studies to measure accuracy, safety, and generalization capacity. Their fairness is analyzed to avoid biases based on age, gender, or origin. Intelligent agents can match or exceed human performance in exams and diagnostics. Regulatory bodies are developing specific frameworks for their use, always seeking patient safety. Current models learn from millions of medical records, combining practical and theoretical knowledge to provide precise and contextualized care. What will the future of medicine and its teaching look like? Bill Gates expressed concern about the future of medicine, fearing that doctors will be supervised by omniscient systems. However, medical training will evolve: it will be essential to learn to work with AI, evaluate its suggestions, and supervise its use. Skills such as critical thinking, ethics, and empathy will be even more relevant. Who assumes responsibility for errors? Although promising, these systems can fail or amplify inequalities if not used cautiously. The assignment of responsibility is complex: traditionally, it fell on the doctor for following AI recommendations, but today it is debated whether it also applies for ignoring them. Currently, responsibility usually lies with the medical team, although if the error comes from the software, developers or institutions may be liable. Legislation is advancing to clarify these aspects and protect patients. An optimistic outlook Despite the challenges, the future is promising. Intelligent agents can give doctors time back for human relationships, reduce errors, accelerate research, and expand access to care. In overwhelmed systems, these tools do not replace professionals: they enhance them. Source: lne.es