TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian Medical Association (IDI) board member Iqbal Mochtar stated that artificial intelligence (AI) should be positioned as a tool to assist doctors, not to replace their roles. Iqbal's opinion is related to the statement made by Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin regarding the possibility of doctors who oppose AI falling behind technological advancements.
"Actually, AI is one of the tools that will be very much needed by doctors in the future. Because this is more or less similar to a supporting tool," said Iqbal when contacted by Tempo on Saturday, July 19, 2025.
This board member of the Indonesian Public Health Experts Association (PP IAKMI) emphasizes that artificial intelligence is a means to improve the quality of patient diagnosis and treatment, rather than becoming a competitor to the medical profession. Iqbal likened AI to a stethoscope, laboratory tests, stress tests, or spirometry-various tools used to support medical decisions.
"All these tests are used to assist doctors in making accurate and appropriate diagnoses and treatments for patients," he said.
According to Iqbal, doctors must be able to utilize smart technology to filter data and obtain comprehensive diagnostic information. However, artificial intelligence remains simply a supporting tool. "Decisions regarding diagnosis and treatment still lie with the doctor," he added.
Artificial intelligence is also used to explore alternative diagnoses or provide treatment recommendations based on patient data. However, the final decision must still be made through clinical considerations by doctors.
Iqbal mentioned that AI can be used in interpreting the results of examinations such as x-rays and laboratory tests. This technology can provide an initial overview which is then compared with the assessment of the doctor to arrive at a more accurate final conclusion. "The doctor interpreting it (the initial overview) already has an opinion, has the view that the disease is this, and the action is that," he said.
The use of AI must also undergo careful consideration. AI cannot be blamed if it provides incorrect diagnoses. Iqbal does not deny that in the future, doctors must be skilled in using AI. However, they must also judiciously assess the relevance of the diagnosis with the proposed treatment for the patient,
"To check whether it is reasonable or adequate for the patient," Iqbal added.
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