In a viral TikTok video, US-based pulmonologist Dr. Fawzi Katranji captures a startling moment: his 20 years of medical expertise seemingly outpaced by artificial intelligence in mere seconds.

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The clip begins like any standard medical routine. Dr. Katranji, a seasoned pulmonologist, is analyzing a complex chest X-ray. He explains how, over two decades, he’s learned to identify pneumonia patterns, subtle consolidations, and other diagnostic cues that define the art of radiological interpretation. But then, he introduces a new player—Lunit INSIGHT CXR, an AI tool trained on millions of chest X-rays.

Within seconds, the AI flags the same diagnosis, point-for-point.

“I developed this skill over 20 years,” he says in the video. “And here comes AI and they pick it up in a second.” The caption of the video, which has since gone viral, reads: “I’m going to lose my job.”

The moment isn’t just humorous—it’s existential. AI was once viewed as a supportive tool in healthcare, assisting doctors by reducing workload and catching human error. But with tools like Lunit INSIGHT CXR demonstrating comparable, and sometimes superior, diagnostic accuracy, the balance of power is shifting.

This shift isn’t unique to healthcare. From customer service to coding, AI is quickly encroaching on roles long considered too skilled or too human to automate. Earlier this year, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg revealed plans for AI to handle half the company’s programming, further fueling concerns among white-collar professionals.

For doctors, however, the challenge hits deeper. Their work isn’t just about correct answers; it’s about the journey to expertise, the human empathy involved in delivering life-altering news, and the trust built with patients. As Dr. Katranji noted, AI can match his accuracy, but it can’t match his experience or compassion.

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Fortunately, current healthcare regulations still mandate human oversight. AI tools cannot operate independently without physician review, especially in clinical diagnoses. Patients, too, seem to prefer a blended approach. One commenter on Dr. Katranji’s video wrote: “I’d much rather have a doctor and AI working in tandem than AI diagnosing me alone.”

Still, the emotional impact on professionals is palpable. “So I’m going to be applying to McDonald’s soon,” Dr. Katranji jokes. But behind the humor lies a serious question: What role will human experts play in a future dominated by artificial intelligence?

For now, the stethoscope isn’t being hung up—but the profession is undeniably being redefined.