A recent survey conducted by the American Medical Association (AMA) indicates a dramatic increase in physician utilization of healthcare augmented intelligence (AI), with nearly two-thirds of doctors now incorporating the technology into their practice.
The AMA survey found that 66% of physicians reported using health AI in 2024, a significant leap from the 38% recorded in 2023, representing a 78% increase. This surge highlights the rapid integration of AI into medical workflows. Physicians are leveraging AI for a variety of tasks, including documentation of billing codes, medical charts, and visit notes, as well as the creation of discharge instructions, care plans, progress notes, translation services, and assistive diagnosis.
The survey, which examined the evolving perspectives of nearly 1,200 physicians across various specialties, employment, and ownership types, revealed a growing enthusiasm for AI. Overall, 35% of physicians reported their enthusiasm for health AI exceeded their concerns, up from 30% a year earlier. Conversely, the percentage of physicians whose concerns outweighed their enthusiasm decreased from 29% in 2023 to 25% in 2024.
“The AMA survey illustrates that physicians are increasingly intrigued by the assistive role of health AI and the potential of AI-enabled tools to reduce administrative burdens, enhance diagnostic accuracy, and personalize treatments,” stated AMA Immediate Past President Jesse M. Ehrenfeld, MD, MPH.
Key findings from the survey include:
- Substantial Growth in AI Usage: The percentage of physicians not using AI dropped significantly, from 62% in 2023 to just 33% in 2024.
- Increased Positive Sentiment: 68% of physicians recognized AI’s benefits in patient care, a 5% increase from the previous year.
- Focus on Administrative Burden Reduction: 57% of physicians identified reducing administrative burdens through automation as a primary opportunity for AI.
- Need for Trust and Oversight: Physicians emphasized the need for a feedback loop, data privacy assurances, seamless workflow integration, and adequate training and education to build trust in AI. 47% ranked increased oversight as the top regulatory action needed to increase AI adoption.
While enthusiasm for AI is growing, concerns remain. Physicians expressed concerns about data privacy, integration with electronic health records (EHRs), the potential for incorrect conclusions or recommendations, and new liability concerns. Dr. Ehrenfeld emphasized the importance of increased oversight to address these concerns and enhance physician confidence in AI tools.
The AMA continues to advocate for technologies that support physicians, ensuring they serve as assets rather than burdens. The organization is actively involved in initiatives related to AI implementation, EHR adoption, and usability.
