Artificial Intelligence into the curriculum of an undergraduate medical course:

an experience report

Abstract

Artificial Intelligence is a branch of Computer Science dedicated to the use of machines that mimic human cognitive ability, encompassing the fields of Machine Learning and Deep Learning which involves the use of Neural Networks for data analysis.  The undergraduate course in medicine, offered by Univassouras, a private educational institution located in the southern region of Rio de Janeiro, got top marks in the in loco evaluation by Inep/MEC in March 2025. One of the indicators that contributed to the course's performance was that related to innovations in the curricular matrix, with emphasis on the offer of Curricular Units: “Percurso Inovador I”, which includes, among its thematic modules, the content “Artificial Intelligence in Medicine”; and “Artificial Intelligence applied to Health”. Objective: to report on the methodologies and assessment processes in the operationalization of these curricular units, describing their consequences for medical training. Methodology: “Challenge-Based Learning” was adopted, a methodology through which students are challenged to find solutions to problems in their routine. Assessment takes place through discussion of the students' proposals for solving the challenge. Results and conclusions: the students, most of whom are digital natives, feel motivated and see that they play a leading role in the teaching-learning process, based on the perception that mastery of Artificial Intelligence resources is a key element of the learning process. The inclusion of Artificial Intelligence in the curricula of medical courses gives them an innovative character and is feasible to implement.

Keywords: Artificial Intelligence; Medical Education; Educational Technology.