< + > Radiologists Need to Take the Lead on AI for Imaging

The buzz around AI in radiology is louder than ever, but how do we separate hype from reality? The American College of Radiology (ACR) is seeking to answer this question. How? They are validating the claims made about AI, one tool at a time.

At ACR, Dr. Bernardo Bizzo and his team are leading the organizations AI validation efforts. Healthcare IT Today sat down with Dr. Bizzo, Associate Chief Science Officer, the American College of Radiology Data Science Institute (ACR DSI) at the RSNA24 conference to learn more.

Through programs like Assess AI, they are not just validating the efficacy of AI tools but also ensuring they integrate seamlessly into real-world workflows. “There’s a lot of AI being used, but not a lot of AI being monitored,” Dr. Bizzo remarked during our conversation at RSNA24. By piloting tools across 15 sites, ACR is digging into the nitty-gritty of how AI can genuinely enhance radiology practice.

Key Takeaways

1. Generative AI in Radiology. Through the Healthcare AI Challenge, ACR is exploring generative AI tools that can draft entire radiology reports and summarize patient data, aiming to redefine efficiency in reporting.
2. Inclusive Validation. AI validation at ACR includes testing tools across skill levels—from trainees to seasoned radiologists—ensuring AI supports users at every experience level.
3. Radiologists Take the Lead. ACR’s approach emphasizes that radiologists, not algorithms, should drive the development and deployment of AI tools to ensure patient safety and clinical relevance.

Unique AI Initiatives at ACR

According to the ACR website, the ACR DSI “collaborates with radiology professionals, industry leaders, government agencies, patients, and other stakeholders to facilitate the development and implementation of artificial intelligence applications that will help improve patient care.”

ACR DSI is currently running four programs:

1. Assess-AI – a quality registry for AI that provides algorithm performance monitoring in clinical practice
2. ARCH-AI – a national AI quality assurance program based on a set of guidelines for AI use in imaging interpretation
3. AI-Lab – and education program to help radiologists learn the basics of AI
4. AI Central – a searchable directory of commercially available imaging AI products in the US

Across all these programs, the ACR DSI wants to ensure that radiologists are well prepared for the use of AI in their field and to equip them with tools so that they can leverage AI to reduce their workload while maintaining diagnostic precision.

“We want to see how these AI tools perform not just against experienced radiologists but across skill levels—from trainees to seasoned experts,” explained Dr. Bizzo.

Radiologists Need to Take the Lead

AI isn’t a magic bullet. It is a powerful tool that needs rigorous validation to unlock its full potential. That is the basis for the work that Dr. Bizzo is helping to lead at the ACR DSI. As Dr. Bizzo aptly put it, “Radiologists need to be in the driver’s seat, shaping how these tools are tested and deployed.” By embracing this collaborative approach, ACR is ensuring that AI doesn’t just serve radiologists—it strengthens their ability to serve patients.

Learn more about ACR at https://www.acr.org/

Learn more about ACR DSI at https://www.acrdsi.org/

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