Awareness and perceptions of artificial intelligence among pulmonologists and thoracic surgeons: a national survey

Background Artificial intelligence (AI), a set of algorithms that mimic human intelligence, is increasingly being used in the healthcare field. Objective This study aims to evaluate the awareness, expectations, and concerns of pulmonologists and thoracic surgeons regarding AI, as well as to assess their level of adaptation to these technologies. Methods A 23-item online survey was administered to specialists and residents in the fields of pulmonology and thoracic surgery between January and May 2025. Participation was voluntary, and informed consent was obtained from all respondents. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 27.0, with a p-value of < 0.05 considered statistically significant. Results Among the 302 participants, 65.6% were pulmonologists and 34.4% were thoracic surgeons. A total of 85.4% believed that AI will be actively used in clinical practice, and 67.5% believed that AI would reduce the need for physician workforce. However, 59.3% considered AI less successful than physicians in diagnosis, and 65.6% in treatment. In addition, 86.8% emphasized the need for legal regulations, and 58.3% expressed concerns about data privacy. Conclusions Participants generally expressed a positive attitude toward AI, although they remained cautious due to ethical, legal, and technical concerns. Comprehensive regulations regarding education, legislation, and data security are needed to ensure the safe and effective integration of AI into clinical practice.