On November 30, 2022, OpenAI released ChatGPT, the first chatbot and virtual assistant powered by large language models (LLMs). In just five days, ChatGPT attracted over 1 million users and reached 200 million monthly active users worldwide within fifteen months. This sudden surge of interest in artificial intelligence (AI) has expanded its potential from a niche concept to a mainstream obsession.

AI and machine learning were already making strides in medicine and healthcare, but with the advent of prescriptive and generative AI, new opportunities emerged to redefine how healthcare professionals diagnose, treat, and monitor patients [1]. AI has the potential to enhance diagnostic precision and provide personalized care by bridging the gap between digitalized medical data, clinical decisions, and optimized healthcare delivery.

The term “Augmented Intelligence” may be more fitting than “Artificial Intelligence,” as it emphasizes AI’s role as a collaborator that enhances human intelligence rather than replacing it. As large language models become more advanced, it is important to address the technical, ethical, social, and practical challenges they present.

AI’s role is evolving from a mere tool to an assistant and potentially to a colleague. Just as human colleagues are expected to adhere to strict ethical and professional guidelines, AI systems must also be designed with similar standards in mind to support healthcare professionals and maintain integrity and trust in clinical settings.

Establishing clear guidelines and regulations for augmented intelligence will be vital for integrating AI into healthcare teams [2]. This ensures that AI enhances care delivery in a safe, reliable, and trustworthy manner without compromising patient safety and autonomy and that it benefits all communities, including those in low-resource settings and minority groups.

This insight is derived from the collaborative perspectives of 22 experts from a 3-day international AI roundtable at the ISICEM conference in Brussels in March 2024. It sheds light on the current situation and challenges regarding AI in acute medicine and urges stakeholders to work together to leverage AI-enabled care and expand acute medicine’s reach.