EDITORIAL
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October - December 2026
J Gandhara Med Dent Sci
How to cite this editorial
khan SA. From Adoption to Accountability: Governing Articial
Intelligence (AI) and its Subsets in Medical and Dental Education.
J Gandhara Med Dent Sci.2026;13(4):1-2.
http://doi.org/10.37762/jgmds.13-4.934
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FROM ADOPTION TO ACCOUNTABILITY: GOVERNING ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)
AND ITS SUBSETS IN MEDICAL AND DENTAL EDUCATION
Shehzad Akbar Khan
Professor, Department of Surgery
Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar
+92-345-9222202
shehzadakbar@aol.com
The rapid integration of articial intelligence (AI) into medical and dental education marks a transformative
shift in how knowledge is produced, delivered, and assessed. From adaptive learning systems to generative
tools, AI is reshaping medical and dental learning environments globally. This adoption is accelerating,
affecting governance frameworks.
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This growing imbalance raises a fundamental question for medical and
dental governance. How can medical and dental institutions ensure the responsible and ethical use of AI while
maintaining professional standards?
Current evidence indicates that AI is a core component of medical and dental education, moving beyond its
earlier role as a supporting tool.
2,3
It is increasingly used for simulation-based training, clinical decision
support, and automated assessment. A recent analysis underlines that generative AI, a subset of AI, has
significant potential to enhance personalized learning and clinical training, but it also raises critical concerns
about accuracy, ethical use, and reliability.
4,5
These concerns are relevant to medical and dental education and
health professions education, where compromised learning or inconsistent assessment may eventually aect
patient safety.
In Pakistan, the regulatory landscape is changing to address these challenges, with regulatory
bodies recently strengthening their educational and ethical frameworks, including updated accreditation
standards, competencies, and codes of conduct for medical and dental institutions.
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The updated ethics code
emphasizes accountability, integrity, and patient safety, requiring institutions to provide high standards in
teaching and professional conduct. These structures do not clearly address AI, but they can provide a strong
regulatory foundation for AI governance. Pakistan’s National Articial Intelligence Policy 2025 signals a
strategic national commitment to AI integration.
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The policy emphasizes ethical AI distribution, data
protection, and the development of a secure and inclusive AI network, along with inspiring objectives for
capacity building and workforce development.
8,9
These initiatives are accompanied by growing recognition within medical and dental institutes that AI literacy
and governance must become integral to medical and dental training and continuing professional
development.
10,11
Despite these advances, a critical implementation gap remains. Policies and frameworks
provide direction, but institutions often lack operational clarity on how to govern AI in routine academic
practice. Uncertainty remains around the appropriate use of AI in assessments, writing, and research, and
many faculty members lack adequate training to use these tools eectively. Evidence suggests that although
healthcare professionals have positive attitudes toward AI, eective implementation requires structured
training and institutional support.
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Moreover, administrative policies should focus on specic steps, such as
establishing a clear policy for AI use, ensuring fair assessments, and incorporating AI literacy into the
curriculum, so that governance is context-sensitive. In Pakistan, where access to technology and digital
resources is uneven, AI may benet some learners more than others if not carefully managed. Building trust
is essential in this transition. AI integration in medical and dental education requires transparency,
accountability, and ongoing evaluation. Medical and dental professionals should initiate the development of
inclusive, adaptable frameworks aligned with national and global priorities. AI policies in Pakistan mark
important progress, where the focus must now shift to sensible implementation. Moving from adoption to
accountability is essential to ensure that AI strengthens learning, preserves professional integrity, and
improves healthcare outcomes.
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J Gandhara Med Dent Sci
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October - December 2026
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From Adoption to Accountability: Governing Articial Intelligence
