Physicians are embracing artificial intelligence (AI) in record numbers. According to the AMA 2025 AI Sentiment Survey, 66% of physicians now use AI in their practice, nearly doubling from 38% in 2023.
The report, released in February 2025, highlights the rapid expansion of AI in clinical settings, particularly for administrative automation, but also underscores persistent concerns about privacy, oversight, and liability risks.
The AMA 2025 AI Sentiment Survey gathered insights from 1,183 practicing physicians from the AMA Physician Professional Data file. Respondents included 464 primary care physicians, 719 specialists, 307 practice owners, and 724 employed physicians.
The survey was conducted via Qualtrics and replicated the 2023 study for consistency, tracking shifts in physician sentiment on AI. The most recent study focused on AI adoption trends, clinical and administrative use cases, decision-making influences, and barriers like privacy and liability concerns. By ensuring a statistically valid comparison with 2023, the survey provides a clear picture of evolving physician perspectives on AI in healthcare.
Commenting on the survey results in an interview with Healthcare IT News, Dr. Jesse Ehrenfeld, immediate past president of the AMA, noted, “There remain unresolved physician concerns with the design of health AI and the potential of flawed AI-enabled tools to put privacy at risk, integrate poorly with EHR systems, offer incorrect conclusions or recommendations, and introduce new liability concerns.”
Doctors Are Warming to AI, But Caution Remains
Physicians are growing more enthusiastic about AI’s role in medicine:
Still, AI’s widespread adoption doesn’t mean trust is automatic. Doctors continue to question AI’s reliability, the potential for liability issues, and whether regulators can keep up with its rapid development.
The most significant AI Benefit: Cutting the Administrative Burden
The most straightforward opportunity for AI in medicine is reducing administrative workload, a key driver of physician burnout. 57% of physicians see automation as AI’s most significant benefit, particularly for:
Physicians are already leveraging AI tools to help with visit documentation, discharge summaries, and medical research summaries. As AI adoption increases, its use in these areas will expand rapidly.
In an interview with Healthcare IT News, Dr. Jody Ranck, senior analyst at Chilmark Research, emphasized that “Greater focus on evidence-based AI development or deployment requires effective collaboration between the public and private sectors, which will lead to greater accountability for AI developers, implementers, healthcare organizations and others.”
Regulatory Gaps and Liability Concerns Slow Adoption
While AI’s potential in medicine is undeniable, physicians want greater oversight before fully embracing it.
Additionally, liability remains a significant concern:
Many physicians remain hesitant about using AI in clinical decision-making without clear guidelines on liability and AI accountability.
Doctors Want a Voice in AI Adoption
Most physicians feel left out of AI adoption decisions and want a more significant say in implementing these tools.
Physicians seek AI solutions that enhance their workflow rather than add another layer of complexity to an already burdened system.
What’s Next for AI in Medicine?
The future of AI in healthcare will depend on regulatory action, liability reform, and how well AI integrates with existing clinical workflows.
While AI’s use in documentation and administrative tasks is already widespread, its role in diagnostics, risk prediction, and patient engagement is still developing.
As regulators and healthcare leaders refine AI policies, the success of AI in medicine will ultimately hinge on trust, transparency, and collaboration with physicians.
For now, AI is a powerful tool—but not a perfect one. Doctors are ready to embrace it, but only if safeguards exist.