Netherlands’ first medical program with AI

By Elcke Vels

Leiden University introduces the Netherlands’ first medical program with AI as a core subject. Starting in their first year, students will learn to effectively use and critically evaluate AI and medical technology, preparing them for the future of healthcare. The Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC) and Leiden University have jointly introduced this pioneering program.

The program

The program begins with a theme week, introducing students to various forms of AI, including predictive models, image recognition, and language models. Students also learn about longstanding medical technologies such as blood pressure monitors, MRI scanners, and surgical robots. A crucial component of the AI curriculum is the emphasis on ethical considerations. Students are taught to critically evaluate the implications of AI and medical technology.

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Studying AI popular

Leiden University’s initiative sets a precedent for other medical schools in the Netherlands and beyond. Also, AI studies in general are becoming increasingly popular. The FD informed earlier that there is more interest in courses such as Applied Data Science and AI and Artificial Intelligence. Many more students applied for such studies in mid-January than in previous years.

The University of Amsterdam (UvA) saw enrollments increase for both the AI bachelor’s and master’s degrees. For the bachelor’s it was 88 in 2019 and now there are 131. The master’s went from 96 to 179 enrollments.