Medical AI topic

Foundations of Medical AI

Foundations of Medical AI at ISMAI 2026 examines what clinicians, researchers and healthcare leaders need to understand before artificial intelligence systems are adopted in clinical practice. The topic includes the history of AI in medicine, clinical judgement, human decision-making, uncertainty and the limits of automation.

Official ISMAI 2026 event facts

Official

Event: International Symposium on Medical AI
Edition: ISMAI 2026
Dates: 3-4 December 2026
Venue: Aula Magna CTO, AOU Careggi
City: Florence, Italy
Organiser: International Society of Medical AI
Format: In-person scientific symposium

How ISMAI 2026 covers this

How ISMAI 2026 approaches this theme

The Florence symposium places the foundations of medical AI in a clinical, scientific and philosophical frame rather than a purely technical one.

Sessions look at how medical AI systems relate to clinical reasoning, uncertainty, and the professional responsibilities that sit with the clinician even when a system informs a decision.

The programme is designed for a multidisciplinary audience so that shared vocabulary and shared assumptions can be established before more applied topics are discussed.

Relevant programme session

This theme is developed in Session 1: Foundations of Medical AI of the ISMAI 2026 scientific programme. Sessions run under Chatham House rules where clinical case material is discussed, so that presentations remain candid without compromising confidentiality.

Relevant abstract tracks

Authors submitting original work related to this theme should consider the following tracks. Full track scopes and review criteria are published on the call for abstracts.

Clinical Judgement and Human Decision-Making
Medical Education and AI Literacy
Philosophy of Medicine and AI
Technical Development with Clinical Relevance

Who this topic is for

Clinicians beginning to engage with medical AI in their practice or department.
Trainees and early-career researchers seeking a rigorous entry point into the field.
Educators, ethicists and healthcare leaders responsible for shaping how AI is introduced.

Next steps

Continue from this topic

Read alongside the programme and the abstract call, or explore how the theme is treated for a specific audience.