1 big number: AI at the doctor's office

1 big number: AI at the doctor's office

AXIOS

Herb Scribner

August 26, 2026

More than 7 in 10 Americans (72%) say it's extremely or very important that a doctor or other clinician tells them if they're using AI when providing care, according to a new Pew Research Center survey.

Why it matters: There's growing debate over when health professionals should obtain patients' consent before using AI, with some states already requiring it for diagnoses or treatment.

Driving the news: About 8 in 10 U.S. adults want a provider or their office to notify them if AI is helping make medical decisions or otherwise directly affecting their care, including analyzing medical scans or diagnosing conditions.

• But strong majorities also want transparency even if the technology is being used for administrative tasks, like taking notes on patient-doctor conversations or ordering prescription refills from a pharmacy.

Federal data shows about 7 in 10 hospitals used predictive AI as part of their electronic health records in 2024.

• Adoption by physicians is growing as confidence builds in the technology's clinical advantages, per the American Medical Association.

The survey of 3,488 U.S. adults was conducted June 22–28.