JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly being integrated into medicine.1 Early studies have demonstrated the potential of AI to enhance diagnostic accuracy, reduce clinician workload, and improve patient outcomes.2 At the same time, concerns persist regarding algorithmic bias, lack of transparency, regulatory barriers, and the ethical implications of replacing or supplementing human judgment.3,4 Despite widespread discussion of these opportunities and risks, how healthcare professionals perceive AI’s future role in clinical practice remains understudied.

Objective:

We sought to address this gap by surveying healthcare professionals across two large academic health systems in the United States to characterize current AI use in routine work, evaluate trust in AI for different tasks, and explore how perceptions of AI’s future impact vary by professional and demographic groups.

Methods:

We conducted a cross-sectional survey of healthcare professionals within two large academic health care systems (Stanford Health Care and Wake Forest University/Advocate Health) (September 23, 2024 to February 28, 2025). Survey questions, based on the USC Neely-UAS AI Index8, were optional. Topics included frequency of AI use, perceptions towards the use of AI in healthcare, and perceived impact of AI on enjoyment, accomplishment, and pay. We performed descriptive analyses using Chi-Square tests. To identify factors associated with perceptions of the impact of AI on their work, we developed multinomial logistic regression models to obtain odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs), adjusting for job, gender, and age.

Results:

Still, few healthcare professionals routinely use AI. Physicians and men were more likely to report frequent AI use, and frequent AI users more often reported positive sentiments about AI’s future impacts on pay, enjoyment, and productivity at work. The youngest professionals (≤29 years) were less engaged and more skeptical about AI’s future benefits.

Conclusions:

These findings highlight gap between AI’s promise and medical practice; adoption varies by role, experience, and demographics. Although most healthcare professionals rarely use AI, greater exposure increases optimism. Ensuring equitable access, addressing subgroup concerns, and building trust through training with institutional support will be critical.