Expectations of healthcare AI and the role of trust: understanding patient views on how AI will impact cost, access, and patient-provider relationships

OBJECTIVES: Although efforts to effectively govern AI continue to develop, relatively little work has been done to systematically measure and include patient perspectives or expectations of AI in governance. This analysis is designed to understand patient expectations of healthcare AI. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cross-sectional nationally representative survey of US adults fielded from June to July of 2023. A total of 2039 participants completed the survey and cross-sectional population weights were applied to produce national estimates. RESULTS: Among US adults, 19.55% expect AI to improve their relationship with their doctor, while 19.4% expect it to increase affordability and 30.28% expect it will improve their access to care. Trust in providers and the healthcare system are positively associated with expectations of AI when controlling for demographic factors, general attitudes toward technology, and other healthcare-related variables. DISCUSSION: US adults generally have low expectations of benefit from AI in healthcare, but those with higher trust in their providers and health systems are more likely to expect to benefit from AI. CONCLUSION: Trust and provider relationships should be key considerations for health systems as they create their AI governance processes and communicate with patients about AI tools. Evidence of patient benefit should be prioritized to preserve or promote trust.