At the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (VMBS), Dr. Candice Chu is at the forefront of discovering innovative ways to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) into both veterinary practice and education. As an assistant professor in the VMBS Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Dr. Chu has developed a groundbreaking study tool for veterinary students, leveraging ChatGPT technology to create VetClinPathGPT.

VetClinPathGPT is designed to assist students in mastering clinical pathobiology—a critical field focused on disease diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. Through this tool, students can engage in interactive "chats" with AI, asking questions about specific terms and concepts or requesting customized study questions. This innovative approach is set to transform how veterinary students learn and engage with complex material.

Beyond the classroom, Dr. Chu is also exploring ways AI can enhance the efficiency and capabilities of educators and clinicians. She recently published a comprehensive article in the journal Frontiers in Veterinary Science, outlining various ways AI can reduce the time spent on repetitive tasks, thereby allowing professionals to focus more on critical aspects of their work, such as patient care and student mentorship.

"AI is a powerful assistant that can help clinicians, educators, and students by taking over time-consuming, repetitive tasks," said Dr. Chu. "This frees up valuable time for more important work, like completing assignments, helping students, and caring for patients."

Revolutionizing Veterinary Education with AI

Dr. Chu envisions a future where AI is an integral part of the veterinary medicine classroom. She imagines a scenario where students, while looking through a microscope connected to an AI-powered camera, can receive real-time analysis and explanations from the AI. "Imagine asking the AI, 'What's that cell?' and it not only identifies the cell type but also teaches you how to recognize it," she explained.

With the increasing demand for veterinarians, Dr. Chu recognizes the challenges of providing individualized attention to a large number of students. AI could bridge this gap by supplementing traditional teaching methods, allowing students to receive immediate feedback and personalized learning experiences.

For now, Dr. Chu is focusing on developing tools like VetClinPathGPT, which serves as a virtual study partner for students. "One of the best ways for students to use AI is by uploading their course readings and asking the AI to generate study questions based on the text," she said. "This way, students can test their knowledge and better prepare for exams."

Educators, too, can benefit from AI by automating tasks such as writing exam questions, enabling them to dedicate more time to student interaction and curriculum development. "The key to getting high-quality, relevant answers from AI is ensuring that the information it uses is reliable," Dr. Chu emphasized. For example, VetClinPathGPT relies on content from the eClinPath website, an online textbook developed by Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, ensuring accuracy and trustworthiness.

The Future of Veterinary Medicine with AI

Dr. Chu also sees AI playing a significant role in clinical settings, particularly in tasks that currently detract from direct patient care, such as record-keeping. "It would be incredibly useful to have an AI tool that can scan through medical records and extract relevant case information," she noted. "Imagine a tool that could fill out medical records while you're speaking with a patient’s owner."

However, there are challenges to overcome before AI can be fully integrated into clinical practice, particularly concerning patient privacy. "Training AI to accurately interpret medical records requires sharing those records with developers, which can violate privacy laws," Dr. Chu explained. Despite these hurdles, she believes that solutions will soon emerge, such as AI tools that operate locally on a clinic’s network, safeguarding patient confidentiality.

A Partnership Between Human and AI

Dr. Chu is clear that AI is not about replacing human expertise but rather enhancing it. "Using AI is a partnership," she said. "Neither humans nor AI are perfect on their own, but together, they can significantly improve our ability to diagnose, teach, and learn. The key is knowing how to use AI effectively."

Looking ahead, Dr. Chu is collaborating with the VMBS Gastrointestinal Laboratory and the Texas A&M Institute of Data Science on a machine learning project aimed at diagnosing acute pancreatitis in dogs. She is also set to share her research on AI in veterinary medicine at several upcoming conferences, including the American College of Veterinary Radiology Scientific Conference, the Texas Taiwanese Biotechnology Association Symposium, and the American College of Veterinary Pathologists Annual Meeting.

"This technology is still in its infancy, offering endless opportunities for innovation," Dr. Chu concluded. As AI continues to evolve, Dr. Chu’s work ensures that veterinary medicine remains at the cutting edge of both education and clinical practice.