Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Formative Research
Date Submitted: Jun 26, 2025
Date Accepted: Nov 24, 2025
Understanding Physician Attitudes toward AI in Clinical Decision-Making: A Cross-Sectional Study in Saudi Arabia
ABSTRACT
Background:
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) has made tremendous efforts to promote the adoption of advanced technologies like artificial intelligence. While the successful adoption of AI is dependent on physician perception, there is a scarcity of data concerning KSA physicians’ perception towards the technology.
Objective:
The purpose of this study is to conduct a cross-sectional survey that will provide updated statistics on physicians’ attitude towards AI with a focus on ethical and practical perspectives among physicians licensed in KSA.
Methods:
A cross-sectional survey was conducted through online self-administered questionnaires. A total of 218 physicians filled out the survey.
Results:
A total of 201 fully-filled surveys representing 63.18% female and 36.82% male physicians with years of experience ranging from three to 30+ years were analyzed. Most physicians (82.1%) trusted AI-based clinical decision-making and 76.6% believed that the technology improved efficiency in healthcare delivery. Unfortunately, only 25.9% of physicians had used AI in the last one year. Common barriers to AI adoption included lack of training, high implementation costs, resistance to change, privacy, data security, bias in AI-based recommendations, patient autonomy, and liability. Participants recommended training through workshops (25%), online courses (23.4%), hand-on experience (21.9%), and a combination of online courses and hand-on experience (8.5%).
Conclusions:
AI is widely supported by KSA physicians but faces financial, ethical, and training barriers which could be addressed through informed consent and staff training.
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