Study Suggests AI Models Recommend Significantly More Medical Care Than Physicians

A new study published in NEJM AI found that 24 leading AI models recommended 3.2 times the cost of care compared to human physicians for 200 patient visits. This increase was primarily due to more diagnostic tests and specialist referrals, with AI systems ordering something in every encounter where doctors ordered nothing in 66% of cases. The findings highlight potential cost implications and differences in care approaches as AI integrates into healthcare.