Artificial intelligence is becoming an essential component of healthcare practice and education, and its influence was a central focus at the MAD-ID 2025 conference in Orlando, Florida. Dr. Timothy Aungst, professor of pharmacy practice at the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, addressed the integration of AI in pharmacy education during his keynote presentations, “Using AI In Stewardship Education” and “Digital Health and Infectious Diseases.”
Dr. Aungst emphasized that educators must adapt to AI’s growing presence in the learning environment. He identified two main challenges: how educators themselves can leverage AI and how to prepare students to use it responsibly. “Future generations of students will either learn to collaborate with AI or rely on it entirely,” Aungst stated. He argued for the integration of AI into pharmacy curricula to cultivate critical thinking rather than passive dependence on technology.
According to Aungst, using technology in pharmacy education is not a radical shift. “We’ve moved past traditional resources like red books,” he said, noting that students and professionals now access information digitally. He believes AI can streamline knowledge acquisition but insists that education must still encourage deeper inquiry, especially around complex topics that require historical and clinical context.
AI and Data-Driven Stewardship in Infectious Diseases
Dr. Aungst also explored how AI could revolutionize antimicrobial stewardship and infectious disease management. He highlighted the data-heavy nature of infectious diseases, particularly in areas like sepsis management and antibiogram analysis, as ideal opportunities for AI integration. “There’s a wealth of data both institutional and global that can train these models effectively,” he explained.
Aungst predicted that AI in Pharmacy Education will increasingly be embedded into electronic health records (EHRs), surveillance platforms, and clinical tools used by infectious disease specialists. However, he stressed that successful implementation depends on trust and institutional buy-in. “It’s about what you want to use daily and what your institution is willing to integrate,” he noted.
Despite AI’s potential, Aungst underscored the importance of human oversight. Pharmacists and clinicians will be responsible for validating AI recommendations, ensuring ethical application, and preventing model drift. “A human will always need to be in the loop,” he said, likening AI adoption to other healthcare technologies that require user trust and accountability.
Balancing AI Utility with Critical Thinking
Dr. Aungst encouraged educators to view AI in Pharmacy Education as a tool for enhancing not replacing critical thinking. He believes AI can be helpful for routine educational tasks like assisting with journal clubs or answering basic questions. Yet, he cautioned against overreliance, pointing out that current AI models often operate as “black boxes” with limited transparency and explainability.
Aungst called for a measured and ethical approach to AI integration in healthcare education. “You need to understand the limits of what these tools can do,” he said. While AI can accelerate certain aspects of learning, students must still ask fundamental questions like why a drug is used or what historical errors should be avoided. These, he argued, are essential elements of professional judgment that AI alone cannot replicate.
In conclusion, Aungst urged the pharmacy education community to embrace AI with cautious optimism, ensuring that students are equipped not only with technical proficiency but also with the ethical and analytical skills needed to navigate a rapidly evolving healthcare landscape.