A recent analysis has highlighted growing patient apprehensions regarding the implementation of artificial intelligence (AI) tools by healthcare professionals. The findings reveal that a substantial number of patients would like to be kept informed about the deployment of AI in their medical care. Notably, over half of the surveyed patients are unaware of whether AI is currently being utilized in their healthcare interactions.
Conducted by the Pew Research Center in late June 2026, the survey encompassed nearly 5,000 adults across the United States. The results indicated that 72% of patients regard it as crucial or highly important for their healthcare providers to disclose the use of AI tools in patient care. Additionally, 16% feel that this information is somewhat important, while merely 7% indicated a lack of concern about being informed on the topic.
The survey unveiled varying levels of concern based on specific AI applications. The highest levels of worry were associated with AI involvement in making diagnostic decisions (81%), analyzing medical scans (81%), interpreting medical test results (80%), and documenting notes during appointments (72%). Furthermore, more than half of the respondents expressed the belief that they should be informed about the use of AI for auxiliary tasks such as prescription management (64%) and appointment scheduling (56%). However, a significant proportion (33%) felt that disclosure was unnecessary for scheduling activities. In various categories, around 9% to 10% of patients were uncertain if they should be informed, indicating a potential lack of awareness regarding the associated risks.
Despite a strong desire for transparency regarding AI's role in healthcare, nearly half of those surveyed (46%) reported being unaware of whether their healthcare providers employed AI solutions. Only 16% had been informed by a doctor about the utilization of AI in their treatment. Data from the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) shows a marked increase in AI adoption, with 71% of hospitals utilizing AI tools in 2024, up from 66% in 2023. Nevertheless, a notable 33% of respondents presumed that their providers were not employing AI, suggesting a gap in transparency.
As the use of AI continues to rise, patients are increasingly seeking insight and a degree of control over its application in their healthcare. The survey revealed that 53% of participants feel they have little to no influence over AI usage, while only 16% believe they possess some degree of control. Furthermore, a compelling 63% expressed a desire for a greater say in AI-related healthcare decisions, with only 21% feeling comfortable about their current level of influence.
In light of the expanding role of AI in healthcare, it is imperative for providers to communicate clearly how these technologies are being utilized, ensuring that patient consent is obtained to foster trust. Additionally, ongoing evaluations of AI tools—such as transcription software and chatbots—are necessary to confirm their efficacy and accuracy.
