Conclusion

The integration of generative AI into physiotherapy practice, education and research marks a significant turning point in our profession. As we stand at this threshold, it's clear that AI has the potential to revolutionise how we practice, teach, and conduct research in physiotherapy. However, this potential comes with both exciting opportunities and considerable challenges.

The opportunities are vast and promising. From enhancing clinical decision-making and personalising patient care to enhancing educational experiences and accelerating research discoveries, AI has the power to elevate our profession in unprecedented ways. It offers us tools to extend our capabilities, allowing us to serve our patients more effectively and efficiently.

Yet, we must approach this new frontier with caution and critical thinking. The risks associated with AI - from potential deskilling to ethical dilemmas and data security concerns - are real and require our careful attention. As physiotherapists, we have a responsibility to ensure that the integration of AI into our practice enhances rather than diminishes the quality of care we provide.

The path forward requires a delicate balance. We must embrace the possibilities that AI offers while steadfastly maintaining the human touch that is so central to our profession. This means actively engaging with AI technologies, continually educating ourselves about their capabilities and limitations, and always keeping the best interests of our patients at the forefront.

Moreover, we must be active participants in shaping the future of AI in physiotherapy. This includes contributing to the development of ethical guidelines, advocating for transparent and explainable AI systems, and engaging in ongoing research to evaluate the impact of these technologies on our practice and patient outcomes.

The future of physiotherapy in an AI-enhanced world remains largely unwritten. While technological capabilities will continue to expand, the profession's trajectory will ultimately be determined by the collective choices of practitioners, educators, researchers, and leaders about how these capabilities should be harnessed. By approaching AI integration thoughtfully and intentionally, with clear focus on core values of patient-centred care, equity, evidence-informed practice, and professional integrity, physiotherapy can emerge not just technologically enhanced but fundamentally strengthened in its capacity to improve human movement and wellbeing.

The most promising future is not one where AI simply makes physiotherapy more efficient or technically advanced, but one where technology serves as a catalyst for the profession to become more accessible, equitable, relationally rich, and responsive to the diverse needs of all patients. Achieving this vision will require not just technological literacy but wisdom, courage, and a steadfast commitment to physiotherapy's essential purpose: helping people move and function at their best throughout the full course of their lives.