More than one in three Americans have now turned AI for health care . Approximately 35% now rely on automated tools to learn and manage their health. About 31% use it to research medical conditions, while 25% for planning their meals, and 23% for exercise routines. What emerged as a curiosity has quietly become a new form of digital self-care. AI has now joined personal doctors and trainers in the group chat.
Science’s new wingman
On the clinical aspect, physicians are also acclimating to this wave. A survey by the American Medical Association estimate that a whopping 66% of doctors used health-related AI in 2024. This marks a 78% jump up from 2023. It’s safe to say the algorithms are present in the room as assistants for documentation and discharge summaries, but they’re not calling the shots yet.
The line of Caution
When algorithms give definitive answers without knowledge of the patient’s history of prescriptions or latest lab results the answers can be misleading. Even survey flags 49% of U.S. adults being uncomfortable if their doctor relied on AI. On the other side, physician’s concern has alleviated from 29% to 25% while they remain cautious their qualm towards the technology is gradually easing. So, it is being used but in calibration.
These systems perform well with low-stakes daily management like planning diet or suggesting workout. About 31% would rather ask an algorithm a question than search it on Google and 27% prefer it over consulting a health professional. But for nuanced judgement in terms of diagnoses or treatment choices, the choice remains unanimous: humans stay in charge.
A trust gap still exists
About 63% of Americans concur machine-generated health information are somewhat or very reliable, however only 36% are comfortable with AI being the decision maker. Even among doctors, the sentiment is divisive. A number of caveats like privacy risks and liability questions, seem to be a deciding factor. Implementation of AI is on the rise, but trust is still in the trial phase.