{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,3,12]],"date-time":"2026-03-12T22:15:03Z","timestamp":1773353703478,"version":"3.50.1"},"reference-count":59,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"6","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2025,6,17]],"date-time":"2025-06-17T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1750118400000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"funder":[{"name":"Deanship of Scientific Research at the King Faisal University of Saudi Arabia","award":["KFU252248"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["KFU252248"]}]}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Computers"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Background: The rapid integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into medical education in developing nations necessitates that educators develop comprehensive AI competencies and readiness. This study explores AI competence and readiness among medical educators in higher education, focusing on the five key dimensions of the ADELE technique: (A) AI Awareness, (D) Development of AI Skills, (E) AI Efficacy, (L) Leanings Towards AI, and (E) AI Enforcement. Structured surveys were used to assess AI competencies and readiness among medical educators for the sustainable integration of AI in medical education. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a 40-item survey distributed to 253 educators from the Middle East (Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan) and South Asia (India, Pakistan, Philippines). Statistical analyses examined variations in AI competency and readiness by gender and nationality and assessed their predictive impact on the adoption of sustainable AI in medical education. Results: The findings revealed that AI competency and readiness are the primary drivers of sustainable AI adoption, highlighting the need to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application. No significant differences were observed based on gender or discipline, suggesting a balanced approach to AI education. However, ethical perspectives on AI integration varied between Middle East and South Asian educators, likely reflecting cultural influences. Conclusions: This study underscores the importance of advancing from foundational AI knowledge to hands-on applications while promoting responsible AI use. The ADELE technique provides a strategic approach to enhancing AI competency in medical education within developing nations, fostering both technological proficiency and ethical awareness among educators.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/computers14060238","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2025,6,17]],"date-time":"2025-06-17T05:52:47Z","timestamp":1750139567000},"page":"238","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":11,"title":["Bridging the AI Gap in Medical Education: A Study of Competency, Readiness, and Ethical Perspectives in Developing Nations"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"14","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-9462-2446","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Mostafa Aboulnour","family":"Salem","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Deanship of Development and Quality Assurance, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa 31982, Saudi Arabia"}]},{"given":"Ossama M.","family":"Zakaria","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Surgery, Pediatric Surgery, College of Medicine, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa 31982, Saudi Arabia"}]},{"given":"Eman Abdulaziz","family":"Aldoughan","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"College of Education, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa 31982, Saudi Arabia"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0004-8259-2923","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Zeyad Aly","family":"Khalil","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Obour High Institute for Management & Informatics, Cairo 11828, Egypt"}]},{"given":"Hazem Mohamed","family":"Zakaria","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam 31441, Saudi Arabia"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,6,17]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"51","DOI":"10.1007\/s44366-024-0020-0","article-title":"Steering the Digital Transformation of Education: UNESCO\u2019s Human-Centered Approach","volume":"1","author":"Tawil","year":"2024","journal-title":"Front. 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