AI Is Already Shaping Healthcare, But How Are People Actually Using It?
According to the article, “The Future of Healthcare: AI, Public Health and the Digital Revolution,” “We are witnessing a seismic shift, driven by the exponential growth of artificial intelligence (AI) and the pervasive reach of the digital revolution, that is poised to reshape public health and medical practice in ways previously unimaginable.”
Artificial intelligence (AI) may be the driving force behind this “seismic shift,” as it rapidly transforms healthcare in such areas as diagnostics, drug discovery, and more. But while much of the conversation focuses on clinicians and health systems, a critical question remains: How are people actually using AI today?
You May Be Using AI in Your Healthcare But Not Know It
You may already be using AI without even thinking about it. Have you ever looked up symptoms online and received an AI-generated summary? Have you asked a chatbot a health-related question late at night?
If so, you’ve already interacted with AI in healthcare.
Yet in one qualitative study, many participants reported having little to no interaction with AI tools in their care. However, you may be interacting with AI indirectly daily, whether you realize it or not. Some examples of AI use in healthcare include the following:
- Imaging tools that help analyze CT or MRI scans
- Surgical or assistive robotics
- Apps that help manage medications or appointments
- Administrative or background systems
When It Comes to Your Healthcare, You Prefer AI for Support, Not for Decision-Making
According to the same study and this study as well, many are open to AI but with limits.
People overwhelmingly prefer AI to:
- Assist clinicians
- Improve efficiency (e.g., reduce wait times, streamline workflows)
- Support diagnosis and data processing
Yet, like those participants in the mentioned studies, you, too, may be reluctant to accept AI as an independent decision-maker. Human oversight remains essential, with many of those in studies commenting, “a human should always make the decision.”
What Benefits Do People See in Using AI-Enabled Healthcare?
Like studies have shown, you may find benefits in AI-enabled healthcare, particularly around:
- Faster diagnoses
- Lower costs
- Improved access to care
Digital health tools—such as telehealth platforms and mobile health apps—are already empowering patients to take a more active role in managing their health.
However, trust remains a major barrier. People are more likely to use AI when it is easy to understand and use, tailored to individual needs, and accessible across different populations.
Also, AI tools must have clear instructions, intuitive design, and opportunities for user feedback.
Not All AI Use Cases Are Equal
You may be selective about where and when you are comfortable using AI in your healthcare. According to the previously cited studies, patients find AI most acceptable to use for diagnostics and imaging, administrative tasks, and data analysis. However, many patients agree that human connection is necessary in mental healthcare and other healthcare scenarios requiring emotional support. Where do you stand on the issue?
How Are You Using AI Today? | We Want to Hear from You
The International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) understands how important it is for people to access accurate, up-to-date information in ways that are easy to understand. That’s why we created Myelo®, an AI-powered assistant designed to answer your myeloma questions anytime, day or night.
But tools like this are only helpful if they truly meet your needs.
That’s why we’re asking you:
- Where do you go first when you have a health question?
- What do you trust, and what don’t you trust?
- How do you prefer to learn about your condition?
- What would make tools like Myelo more helpful to you?
Your answers will directly shape how we design tools, resources, and support for the myeloma community.
Most people skip surveys. But this one directly impacts how we build tools for patients, like you, based on what you actually need.
- It helps us build better tools for you.
- It helps us support patients more effectively.
- It ensures your voice is reflected in the future of care.
- There are no right or wrong answers, just your experience.
The IMF conducted an anonymous survey in May 2026 about your experiences with AI in healthcare. We thank you for taking part, and we hope to apply our learnings to our use of AI.