Americans Grow Wary of AI in Healthcare as Trust Declines, New Survey Reveals
A new national survey shows Americans are becoming increasingly skeptical about artificial intelligence’s role in healthcare, with trust dropping significantly in just one year. The findings, released by Ohio State University’s Wexner Medical Center, highlight growing concerns over AI’s reliability in medical decision-making.
Declining Trust in AI-Assisted Care
Only 42% of Americans now say they are comfortable with AI being part of their healthcare—a sharp 10% drop from 2024. The survey, which polled 1,007 adults, also found that confidence in AI’s ability to improve efficiency in healthcare fell from 64% to 55%.
Dr. Ravi Tripathi, Chief Health Informatics Officer at Wexner Medical Center, says the shift isn’t surprising. “New technologies often go through a hype cycle,” he explained. “At first, people think AI will solve everything. Now, they’re realizing its limitations.”
Patients Turning to AI—Sometimes Without Doctors
Despite reservations, more than half of respondents (51%) admitted using AI to make major health decisions without consulting a doctor. Experts warn this could be dangerous.
“AI is wrong about 2% of the time, and it doesn’t know your personal medical history,” Tripathi cautioned. “Relying on it completely could lead to serious mistakes.”
Still, many patients use AI as a preliminary tool:
- 62% check symptoms before deciding to see a doctor
- 44% rely on AI to explain test results or diagnoses
- 25% compare treatment options using AI
- 20% prepare for doctor’s appointments with AI assistance
Doctors Urge Caution—But See Potential
Medical professionals agree AI should never replace human judgment. Instead, they recommend using it as a supplementary resource.
“AI can help organize medical data, clarify test results, and even suggest questions to ask your doctor,” Tripathi said. “But patients should always consult their healthcare team before making decisions.”
He predicts trust will rebound as people better understand AI’s role. “In the next few years, we’ll see a more balanced approach—where AI supports, rather than replaces, medical expertise.”
For now, the message is clear: AI may be a helpful tool, but doctors still know best.
— Reported by Nexio News
