New AI-powered training pilot to support Aotearoa's next generation of GPs

Aotearoa’s future general practitioners will soon begin testing artificial intelligence-powered virtual consultations as part of a new pilot programme. As reported by Waatea News on 19 September 2026, the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners (the College) is partnering with New Zealand-developed platform Gestalt to explore how AI can assist doctors in practicing clinical decision-making within a safe, simulated environment. The trial focuses on a targeted group of GP registrars, including International Medical Graduates (IMGs), providing them with a space to work through complex diagnoses before treating real patients. The technology is designed to operate solely as a training tool, allowing doctors to repeat consultations and receive individualised feedback between sessions with human medical educators. College Chief Executive Toby Beaglehole stated that the trial aims to determine if AI adds genuine value to the training environment without replacing the essential relationship between doctor and patient. Dr Alastair Dunne, co-founder and chief executive of Gestalt and a Fellow of the College, noted that the platform supplements established medical education. By focusing on the cycle of consultation, reasoning, and reflection, the simulator allows learners to refine their skills in recognizing symptoms—such as fatigue, dizziness, or anxiety—that require expert generalist knowledge. The pilot comes as Aotearoa seeks to bolster its primary healthcare workforce, following the entry of 225 doctors into specialist training in February. For international graduates, the simulations may provide a valuable opportunity to become familiar with the specific clinical expectations and culturally diverse communities of the New Zealand health system. The College will evaluate the quality and usefulness of the AI feedback before deciding whether to expand the programme further.