ASGE Endo Hangout: Artificial Intelligence | October 2026-Recorded webinar

Video Transcription

Video Summary

The ASGE Endo Hangout webinar explored artificial intelligence (AI) in gastroenterology, with a focus on endoscopy, research, training, and clinical implementation.<br /><br />Speakers emphasized that AI is more than consumer tools such as ChatGPT. Clinicians and researchers need foundational AI literacy, and the ASGE AI Institute offers educational materials, workshops, and a Scholars Program. AI is already being used in areas such as computer-aided polyp detection and clinical documentation, but many promising applications remain limited by regulatory, cost, and reimbursement barriers.<br /><br />When evaluating AI research, high accuracy or area-under-the-curve results alone are not enough. Clinicians should look for external validation across diverse populations, sound methodology, transparency about how models reach conclusions, and evidence of real-world benefit. The speakers noted that pancreatic applications are especially challenging because endoscopic ultrasound images are complex and require AI to recognize anatomy before identifying subtle disease.<br /><br />Implementation should be assessed beyond performance metrics such as adenoma detection rate. Workflow effects, distraction, procedure time, cost, and patient outcomes also matter. AI should support—not replace—clinician judgment, with physicians retaining responsibility for decisions. Ongoing monitoring is needed as systems and clinical practice evolve.<br /><br />The panel discussed balancing AI use in training with the risk of de-skilling. A suggested approach is to teach foundational skills first, then introduce AI gradually, while preparing trainees to work effectively with tools likely to become increasingly common. Fellows can contribute to AI research through clinical expertise, institutional collaborations, and ASGE programs, even without a computer science background.

Keywords

artificial intelligence

gastroenterology

endoscopy

AI literacy

ASGE AI Institute

computer-aided polyp detection

clinical documentation

external validation

workflow impact

medical training