aceFactors associated with attitudes towards artificial intelligence among medical students: roles of digital literacy, emotional intelligence, and AI-related perceptions
Abstract: Artificial intelligence is increasingly used in health care and medical education. This study aimed to identify factors associated with medical students' attitudes towards artificial intelligence, with particular attention to digital literacy, emotional intelligence and artificial intelligence-related perceptions. This cross-sectional study was conducted between November 2025 and January 2026 among 358 medical students. Data were collected using an online questionnaire including sociodemographic items, the Trait…
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A peer-reviewed cross-sectional study of 358 medical students from November 2025 to January 2026 examined factors linked to attitudes toward AI using online questionnaires including digital literacy and emotional intelligence scales. Most students had used AI, but majorities reported ethical or legal concerns and worries about reduced clinical reasoning.
The findings matter because attitudes will shape future clinical adoption of AI, and the data suggest education focused on digital literacy, ethical awareness and reflective discussion of clinical reasoning may influence those attitudes more than mere prior use. Uncertainty remains about causality and generalizability given the single-sample cross-sectional design and reliance on self-reported scales.
- Cross-sectional online survey of 358 medical students conducted November 2025 to January 2026 using Trait Emotional Intelligence Scale-Short Form, Digital Literacy Scale and General Attitude Towards Artificial Intelligence Scale.
- 88.5% had previously used artificial intelligence, yet 59.5% reported ethical or legal concerns and 41.1% believed AI could reduce clinical reasoning.
- Hierarchical regression found clinical educational stage, ethical or legal concerns, and perceptions about AI impact on clinical reasoning independently associated with attitude scores, while previous AI use and emotional intelligence were not after adjustment.
Among 358 medical students surveyed, higher digital literacy was associated with more positive attitudes towards artificial intelligence and was the strongest independent factor in adjusted analysis.
The rundown
The authors surveyed 358 medical students online between November 2025 and January 2026, collecting sociodemographic items and three validated scales, then performed group comparisons, correlation analyses, hierarchical linear regression and exploratory indirect-effect analysis.
Results showed 88.5% had previously used AI, digital literacy correlated positively with attitude scores, and the final model identified digital literacy as the strongest independent factor alongside clinical stage and AI-related perceptions, while previous use and emotional intelligence lost significance after adjustment.
Sources
- Peer-reviewedPostgraduate Medical Journal2026-08-05
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