AMA Survey: More Doctors Are Embracing AI-Based Tools
An American Medical Association survey found 81% of U.S. doctors now use AI tools in their practice, up from 40% in 2023, with 76% believing AI enhances patient care and work efficiency. Concerns remain over patient privacy, data integrity, and responsible use, while physicians support AI for research and documentation but oppose its use for interpreting medical imaging results.
A recent American Medical Association (AMA) survey reveals a sharp rise in AI adoption among U.S. physicians, with 81% now integrating AI tools into their practice—more than double the 40% recorded in 2023. The 2026 Physician Survey on Augmented Intelligence, based on responses from 1,692 doctors across specialties and regions, highlights AI’s growing role in clinical decision-making, documentation, and research summaries. Over three-quarters of respondents (76%) now believe AI improves patient care, up from 65% in 2023, while the average number of AI use cases per physician doubled from 1.1 to 2.3. Respondents, with a median 20 years of practice experience, reported AI’s biggest benefits in work efficiency and diagnostic support, though 70% view it as a tool to reduce burnout by automating administrative tasks. Concerns persist, however, with 40% expressing equal excitement and apprehension, particularly about patient privacy (86%) and ensuring AI safety and efficacy (88%). Nearly half oppose patients using AI to interpret pathology or radiology results, emphasizing the need for human oversight in critical diagnoses. The survey, conducted via email in March 2026, included physicians from all practice settings, with 35% based in the South and 25% in primary care. AMA CEO John Whyte noted AI’s rapid integration into medical workflows, stressing that trust in these tools depends on responsible use to improve—not compromise—patient care. Prior surveys in 2023 and 2024 showed similar trends, reinforcing AI’s expanding but cautious role in healthcare. While 86% of doctors prioritize data privacy, the survey underscores AI’s potential to streamline clinical tasks, such as generating after-visit summaries or transcribing patient visits. However, the findings also reveal a divide: physicians support AI for general health queries but remain wary of its use in high-stakes interpretations, where human expertise is deemed irreplaceable. The AMA’s report highlights a critical balance—leveraging AI’s advantages while mitigating risks to maintain patient trust and clinical integrity.
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