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Public perspectives on artificial intelligence in healthcare in the USA: a cross-sectional survey

Objective To evaluate public perspectives on artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare in the USA and assess variation in trust, comfort and perceived fairness across demographic groups. Methods and analysis This cross-sectional survey of US adults was conducted between 21 November and 4 December 2025, via YouGov, a private public opinion research firm, using a non-probability-based online panel. The sample included 500 general population respondents and an oversample of 750 adults aged 60+. Survey weights were…

By the Truvace desk2 min read1 sourcePeer-reviewedTRV-2026-1843· cite & verify
Public perspectives on artificial intelligence in healthcare in the USA: a cross-sectional survey
CRAFTING A SUCCESSFUL INCENTIVE AUCTION: STAKEHOLDERS' PERSPECTIVES by Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Public domain

In brief

A YouGov online survey fielded in late November and early December 2025 asked US adults about AI in healthcare. It covered 500 general population respondents plus an oversample of 750 people aged 60 and older, with weights applied to approximate the adult population. About a third of weighted respondents had used AI for health, but fewer were comfortable with their own provider using it.

The results matter because healthcare organizations are adopting AI while public acceptance appears to lag, and acceptance differed by education. The authors say the large neutral group suggests attitudes could change, but the sample is non-probability based, so how far the results generalize remains uncertain.

Main points

  1. 34.0% of weighted respondents reported prior healthcare AI use, more commonly among college graduates (46.5%) than those without a high school diploma (22.9%).
  2. 43.0% were uncomfortable with their provider using AI, 31.5% were neutral and 25.4% were comfortable.
  3. 44.5% trusted AI much less than clinicians for health information.
  4. Prior AI users were more favourable toward laboratory/imaging interpretation and AI-assisted referrals.
  5. Differences by political affiliation, insurance, health status and age were not significant after FDR correction.

The problem

Only about a quarter of weighted US respondents felt comfortable with their provider using AI, and most preferred a provider over a chatbot for explaining care plans, which suggests deployment is outpacing public trust.

The rundown

The study was cross-sectional and ran from 21 November to 4 December 2025. Outcomes included comfort with providers using AI, views on AI-generated second opinions, prior use, relative trust in AI versus clinicians, chatbot versus provider explanations of care plans, and perceived effects on fairness.

Analyses used survey-weighted tests with false discovery rate correction for multiple comparisons. Education level was the most consistent predictor of favourable attitudes, while other demographic differences did not hold up after correction.

The authors conclude that transparent deployment and targeted trust-building strategies are needed to support equitable adoption, noting that the one-third neutral share suggests attitudes are potentially modifiable.

Sources

  1. Peer-reviewedBMJ Digital Health & AI2026-10-05

The debate