AI as a Tool in Science and Pre-Health Education

Written by: Linden Wells, Pre-Health Peer Advisor

With popular AI software like CHAT GPT taking the spotlight, most of us have used AI at one point or another, whether it was to help generate ideas for a paper, explain a difficult concept, or even just out of curiosity. If you are unfamiliar with AI, I recommend watching this short video called “The Progression of Will Smith Eating Spaghetti.” You will just have to trust me on this one.

In that short video, you can clearly see the rapid evolution of AI, and truly how powerful its capabilities can be. The first couple of clips are actually from 2023, but it is truly remarkable to see the difference in just a few years, and this is only the beginning.  

But beyond funny videos and viral clips, what does AI actually mean for science and for us as pre-health students? 

AI as a Tool for Pre-Health Students 

AI is best known as a tool. Like a calculator, a microscope, or statistical software, it enhances our ability to work, but it does not replace understanding. 

For students preparing for professional school, AI can be a surprisingly useful tool. For example, you can input your GPA, extracurricular activities, clinical hours, research experience, and ask AI to generate ideas about schools that may align with your interests.  

However, AI should never replace official advising or direct research into programs. AI can help you narrow down your options and think strategically about where to apply, but that doesn’t mean AI is always right. For something as important as professional school applications, it is not worth relying on a single source. Remember that advisors bring years of experience, familiarity with admission trends, and an understanding of institutional expectations that AI just simply can’t comprehend.  

AI As a Brainstorming Partner 

One of the best uses I have found for AI is to help me brainstorm. AI can generate an unlimited number of ideas. Whether you are struggling with getting started on a personal statement, understand a complex physiology topic, or generating research questions, AI can provide a starting point. 

AI is also excellent at finding resources. Being connected to the internet gives AI an incredible edge, as it is able to pull resources from just about anywhere. AI can help get the ball rolling when you are feeling stuck or overwhelmed. 

People may not realize it, but AI does have a distinct tone and style that can be easily identified; overreliance on it makes your work sound vague and generic. This is especially important for personal or reflective writing. Applications to professional school are meant to reflect you, not AI. 

Personally, I like to use AI as a second set of eyes. After drafting something, I might use AI to check it over for clarity or organization. AI is really good at picking out small details that are easy to miss to the human eye. 

AI in Healthcare and Science 

You may have heard the phrase, “AI is going to take over Healthcare.” While that statement is often exaggerated, AI is already playing a role in science and medicine. In research settings, AI can analyze massive datasets faster than humans. Some of its bigger features are that it can identify patterns in imaging, and model molecular interactions that otherwise would require significant time and resources. But it is very important to remember that healthcare is not solely driven by data. Healthcare involves ethical reasoning, communication, empathy, and, most of all, patient-centered care. AI can assist clinicians, but it can’t replace the human connection that defines patient care. 

Instead, the future of healthcare will likely involve collaboration between professionals and AI systems. So it is important to understand both science and technology. 

Education Beyond a Degree 

Many students fall into the mindset of solely going to school to get the degree, but education is about developing an understanding. If you plan to pursue just about any professional school, especially in the sciences, the majority of the content you learn as an undergraduate is the foundational knowledge you will need to pursue your career of interest. 

As AI becomes a bigger part of the world of science, critical thinking becomes even more important. Technology can generate information quickly, but it cannot determine whether that information is accurate, relevant, or appropriate in each context. That responsibility stays with us. Becoming proactive in your education by asking questions and truly engaging with the material will always matter. AI can support your learning, but it cannot replace the discipline that is required to truly learn. 

Takeaway 

Artificial Intelligence is not something to fear, and it is also not something to rely on blindly. AI is a tool and, when it’s used ethically and responsibly, can enhance productivity and support your learning.  

If you are reading this as a Pre-Health student, the goal is not to replace human guidance with technology. Instead, AI should be used to prepare you, not define you. The future of science will include AI in ways that we cannot yet fully imagine. But no matter how advanced technology may become, curiosity, discipline, empathy, and critical thinking will always remain human traits. Those are the qualities that will define great healthcare professionals.