Korean doctors gather for first in-person conference in 7 years to discuss future of AI-driven, super-aged healthcare

The Korean Medical Association (KMA) convened its 43rd General Academic Conference, marking a significant return to a fully offline format after a seven-year hiatus. Held in Seoul, the conference, themed 'Sustainable Future Healthcare Opened by Physician Expertise: Redesigning the Era of Artificial Intelligence and Super-Aged Society,' brought together domestic and international medical professionals.

Amidst the accelerating integration of generative AI into clinical practice and the growing demands of a super-aged society, the medical community faces critical challenges. These include reforming healthcare delivery systems, strengthening essential regional medical services, and cultivating a robust medical workforce. The conference served as a crucial platform to deliberate on forward-looking medical policies, educational reforms, and effective AI integration strategies.

Discussions highlighted AI's role not as a substitute for physicians, but as an indispensable tool to support clinical judgment in diagnosis and treatment. Participants emphasized that successful AI adoption requires not only technological prowess but also the establishment of clear standards for clinical validity, patient safety, data privacy, and ethical guidelines. Simultaneously, the imperative to adapt healthcare systems for an aging population was a central focus, with calls for policy support to reduce regional disparities and ensure sustainable care for elderly patients.

The KMA also presented four core agendas: AI-driven medical technology and digital health innovation; sustainable health policy and systemic improvements; medical education reform and self-regulation within the medical community; and restoring trust between the public and healthcare providers. The association, a leading medical organization in South Korea since its inception in 1908, aims for the conference's outcomes to drive tangible changes in medical practice, education, and policy.