Why I Started Using AI
Medical school is overwhelming. We’re expected to absorb massive amounts of information, often presented in dense textbooks that assume prior knowledge I don’t always have. As someone who writes about technology, I wondered if AI could help me manage this information overload.
I started cautiously, using AI primarily to break down complex concepts from my textbooks. What I discovered changed my entire approach to studying.
How I Use AI Daily
Transforming Textbook Content into Usable Notes
My primary use of AI is converting lengthy textbook chapters into organised, comprehensive notes. After reading a section on cardiovascular physiology or pharmacology, I feed the key concepts to AI and ask it to create structured notes that highlight mechanisms, clinical relevance, and connections to other topics.
For example, instead of drowning in pages about the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, I now have concise notes that explain the pathway, its regulation, clinical implications, and how various drugs interact with it. This doesn’t replace reading the textbook; it enhances my understanding and creates review materials I actually want to use.
Breaking Down Impossible Concepts
Some medical concepts feel deliberately obscure. When I hit a wall (Like trying to understand the Krebs’ cycle), I turn to AI for clarification.
I’ll paste a confusing paragraph and ask: “Explain this as if I’m learning it for the first time, then connect it to what happens clinically.” This two-step approach helps me understand both the mechanism and why it matters for patient care.
What amazes me is how AI adapts its explanations. If I’m still confused, I can say “I understand the first part, but I’m lost when it discusses X,” and get a more targeted explanation. It’s like having a tutor who never gets impatient with my questions.
Creating Custom Study Materials
I use AI to generate flashcards, practice questions, and case scenarios based on my notes and textbook content. Instead of generic review materials, I get questions tailored to exactly what I’m studying.
Last week, while preparing for my anatomy exam, I asked AI to create clinical scenarios testing my knowledge of the brachial plexus. It generated realistic patient presentations where I had to identify appropriate manifestations of damage to any nerve derived from the plexus. This is exactly the kind of applied thinking our exams demand.
My Workflow
Here’s what a typical study session looks like for me:
First, I read my textbook chapter thoroughly, highlighting key concepts and marking sections I don’t fully understand. I don’t skip this step because reading the primary material first is essential.
Next, I open my AI tool and work through confusing sections. I paste difficult paragraphs and ask for clarification, often requesting multiple explanations from different angles until something clicks.
Then, I use AI to help create organised notes. I provide the main concepts from my reading and ask for a structured summary that includes mechanisms, clinical applications, and important details I shouldn’t miss. I always review these AI-generated notes against my textbook to ensure accuracy and add information AI might have missed.
Finally, I have AI generate practice questions based on my notes. I test myself, and when I get questions wrong, I ask AI to explain not just the correct answer but why my thinking was incorrect.
This workflow has significantly reduced my study time while also improving my retention and understanding.
What I’ve Learned About Effective AI Use
Be Specific in Your Requests
Vague questions get vague answers. Instead of asking “Explain diabetes,” I ask “Explain the pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes, focusing on insulin resistance and beta-cell dysfunction, and include how this relates to treatment approaches.”
The more specific I am, the more useful the response.
Always Verify Medical Information
This is critical. AI can occasionally provide outdated treatment protocols or make errors with clinical correlates. I always cross-reference AI explanations with my textbooks, lecture notes, or trusted medical resources like TeachMeAnatomy. AI is a study tool, not a medical reference. I never use it for clinical decision-making.
Use AI for Understanding, Not Shortcuts
Early on, I was tempted to skip reading textbooks and just have AI summarise everything. That was a mistake. I quickly realised I was missing important nuances and context.
Now I use AI after engaging with source material. It helps me understand what I’ve already read, not replace that reading entirely. The difference in my retention was immediately noticeable.
Embrace the Iterative Process
I often have follow-up questions after an initial AI explanation. That’s not a failure, it’s how deep learning happens. I’ll ask for clarification, request examples, or challenge explanations that don’t align with what I’ve learned elsewhere.
This back-and-forth conversation is where AI truly shines as a study partner.
Advice for Fellow Students
If you’re considering using AI for studying, start small. Pick one challenging concept from your current coursework and see if AI can help you understand it better. Don’t try to revolutionise your entire study method overnight.
Be honest with yourself if AI is helping you learn or helping you avoid learning. If you find yourself unable to explain concepts without AI’s help, you’re using it wrong.
Find your institution’s policies on AI use and follow them. The technology is evolving faster than academic policies, but that doesn’t permit us to use it in ways that violate academic integrity.
Most importantly, remember that AI is a tool, not a replacement for the hard cognitive work of learning. The students who succeed with AI are those who use it to engage more deeply with material, not to bypass that engagement.
