Physician AI usage more than doubles as 81% now use health tech tools

Doctors are adopting AI tools at a rapid pace. A new survey from the American Medical Association shows 81% of physicians now use artificial intelligence in their practice - more than double the rate from 2023.

The biggest driver is staying current with medical research. Doctors are using AI to summarize studies, create discharge instructions, and document patient visits. As the technology gets better, physicians are becoming more comfortable with these tools.

Highlights

• 81% of physicians now use AI tools, up from less than 40% in 2023
• Most common use is summarizing medical research and standards of care
• 76% of doctors say AI helps with patient care
• 88% have concerns about physicians losing clinical skills
• Nearly 1,700 doctors across specialties responded to the survey

Why does it matter?

The survey shows AI is becoming part of routine medical practice. More than three-quarters of physicians now believe AI improves their ability to care for patients, up from 65% in 2023. They see the biggest benefits in diagnostic accuracy and work efficiency.

But doctors want control over how AI gets implemented. About 85% want to be consulted or directly involved in decisions about AI adoption at their workplace. They also worry about medical trainees losing essential skills - 70% are "very" or "somewhat" concerned about skill loss among students and residents.

The context

The AMA launched its Center for Digital Health and AI last fall to help physicians shape how these technologies get integrated into medicine. The organization wants AI that is safe, effective, and transparent, with patient safety as the top priority.

According to the survey, physicians are using health AI for several key tasks:

• Summarizing medical research and standards of care (most popular use)
• Creating discharge instructions
• Documenting medical visits
• Supporting clinical decisions
• Reducing administrative tasks

Doctors support patients using AI for general health questions but are wary of patients using it for clinical judgment tasks. Nearly half strongly oppose patients using AI to interpret radiology or pathology results.

For broader adoption, physicians want clear liability frameworks and robust safety validation. Data privacy is also a major concern for 86% of doctors surveyed.