Americans will let AI book the appointment. Only 3% want it diagnosing them alone.
SummaryA Pew Research Center survey found most U.S. adults are open to AI at the front desk, but 60% are uncomfortable with their doctor using AI for diagnoses and treatments.
· MODEL Editors · 1 min read
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The survey. Pew Research Center asked 3,488 U.S. adults about AI in healthcare from June 22 to 28, 2026, and published the results on Oct. 29. The margin of error for the full sample is plus or minus 1.8 percentage points (Pew methodology (opens in a new tab)).
Front desk: yes. People are most open to AI doing office work. 73% are open to AI scheduling an appointment (29% on its own, 44% if a human does a final review), and 78% are open to AI translating for a patient (26% on its own, 52% with human review) (Pew (opens in a new tab)).
Diagnosis: with a human, please. Only 3% are open to AI making a diagnosis on its own. 47% are open to it if a human does a final review, and 41% don't want AI doing it at all. For insurance claim decisions, 5% are open to AI deciding alone and 46% want AI to have nothing to do with it (Pew (opens in a new tab)).
Overall comfort. 60% say they would be uncomfortable if their doctor used AI for things like diagnoses and treatments; 30% would be comfortable and 10% aren't sure. Adults ages 18 to 29 were the most uncomfortable of any age group, at 68% (Pew (opens in a new tab)).
The MODEL take. If you build AI tools for clinics, the survey points to a clear product line: automate the paperwork, and put a human sign-off on anything that touches a diagnosis or a claim. Tell patients when AI is involved, too. Pew's Galen Stocking told CBS News people say it is extremely important that their provider tell them (CBS News (opens in a new tab)).
Not tested by MODEL. Not sponsored. Not medical advice.
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Sources
- Americans Are Open to AI in Healthcare, but Want Humans Making Final Calls
Pew Research Center
- Methodology
Pew Research Center
- Americans wary of AI in healthcare for diagnoses and insurance claims, survey finds
CBS News
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