Establishing a policy statement on the use of artificial intelligence in neurosurgery

Abstract

Throughout the past decade, artificial intelligence (AI) has evolved from theoretical use to practical application in various medical specialties including neurosurgery. Given the increasing interest and exploration of AI models at national neurosurgical conferences, outlining policy for the appropriate and ethical use of AI in neurosurgery is warranted. To this end, the Council of State Neurosurgical Societies (CSNS) Workforce Committee convened an ad hoc committee to explore AI in neurosurgery following passage of a resolution at the 2024 fall meeting (Resolution II-2024 F). This editorial discusses the development process, guiding principles, and supporting evidence behind the AI policy statement. The committee conducted a thorough review of current AI tools, their applications, and their potential pitfalls. A review of existing policies from professional bodies was also conducted. The resulting policy emphasizes five core domains based on the committee's findings and the need for structured guidance in those areas. These included responsible use, privacy and security, transparency, academic integrity, and financial conflicts. The committee also conducted original investigations to explore the efficacy of AI use in certain domains that were under explored in the literature, particularly in academics, to inform key positions.

Keywords: AI regulations; Healthcare policy; Medical ethics; Neurosurgical guidelines.