Physician Adoption of AI in Medicine Doubles as Confidence Grows

New AMA survey shows over 80% of doctors now use AI, up from 38% in 2023, as they see benefits but also have concerns about patient use.

Mar. 12, 2026 at 4:33am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A new survey from the American Medical Association's Center for Digital Health and AI found that physician adoption of augmented intelligence (AI) has more than doubled since 2023, with over 80% of doctors now using AI in their practices. While physicians are cautiously optimistic about AI's potential to improve care and combat burnout, they also have concerns about patients using the technology to interpret complex medical results without a doctor's guidance.

Why it matters

The rapid growth in physician use of AI reflects the technology's increasing integration into everyday medical practice, as doctors see real benefits in areas like research summarization and clinical documentation. However, the survey highlights the need to ensure AI tools are designed to enhance rather than replace physicians, with strong safeguards around data privacy, safety, and clinical validation to build trust and encourage broader adoption.

The details

The AMA's annual Physician Survey on Augmented Intelligence found the average number of AI use cases per doctor has risen from 1.1 in 2023 to 2.3 in 2026. The most common physician uses of AI are in medical research summarization and clinical care documentation. While over 75% of doctors now believe AI improves their ability to care for patients, up from 65% in 2023, 40% maintain a balanced attitude that is equally excited and concerned about the technology. Top concerns include patient privacy, the doctor-patient relationship, and potential skill loss, especially among early-career physicians. Physicians generally support patient use of AI for basic health questions but oppose its use for interpreting complex medical results without a doctor's guidance.

  • The AMA has conducted this annual survey since 2023.
  • The 2026 survey results were released on March 12, 2026.

The players

American Medical Association (AMA)

A national organization representing physicians and medical students in the United States, focused on promoting public health and the medical profession.

John Whyte, MD, MPH

CEO of the American Medical Association.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“AI has quickly become part of everyday medical practice. Physicians see real promise in its ability to support clinical decisions and cut down on administrative burden. But as this technology advances, it is critical that augmented intelligence be designed to enhance – not replace – physicians.”

— John Whyte, CEO

What’s next

The AMA's Center for Digital Health and AI will continue to advocate for the development of high-quality, clinically validated AI tools that are deployed responsibly and with patient safety as the top priority.

The takeaway

While physician adoption of AI in medicine has grown rapidly, doctors remain cautiously optimistic about the technology's potential benefits and risks. Ensuring AI is designed to enhance rather than replace physicians, with strong safeguards around privacy, safety, and clinical validation, will be critical to building trust and driving broader adoption across the medical field.