What AI Can (and Can’t) Do in Surgery Training
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February 9, 2026
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2 min
A study published in JAMA Surgery revealed that surgical trainees using artificial intelligence (AI) systems coupled with human instructors achieved better performance than those relying solely on AI feedback. In a randomized trial involving 87 medical students on a neurosurgical simulator, personalized guidance from expert instructors who interpreted AI data led to significant improvements in technical skills during simulated brain tumor resections. The findings suggest the importance of integrating AI within instructor-led training, highlighting that AI should augment, not replace, human teaching.
1. Personalized instruction using AI data outperforms AI-only feedback. 2. 87 medical students participated in the trial. 3. Study focused on virtual reality neurosurgical simulations. 4. Expert instructors improve learning outcomes significantly. 5. Trainees reported higher frustration yet demonstrated better performance. 6. Integrating AI as an adjunct is crucial for effective surgical training.
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