Is your doctor using AI? There is a good chance the answer is yes. A 2026 survey by the American Medical Association found that 81% of US doctors now use AI at work. That is more than double the number in 2023.
This week, the story got bigger. OpenEvidence, an AI search tool built only for doctors, raised $250 million at a $15 billion value. Its boss says about 40% of US doctors already use it. So AI is not coming to your doctor’s office. It is already there.
But what does a doctor using AI actually look like? Is a computer making decisions about your body? And can you say no? This guide explains it in plain words.
Is my doctor using AI during my appointment?
Probably, but maybe not in the way you imagine. Most doctors use AI for paperwork and quick fact-checks, not to decide your treatment. The most common uses are looking up medical research, writing visit notes, and drafting care instructions. The doctor still checks the work and makes the final call.
The AMA survey asked nearly 1,700 US doctors what they use AI for. The top answers were:
- Summing up medical research — 39% of doctors
- Writing discharge instructions and care plans — 30%
- Writing visit notes and billing codes — 28%
- Drafting replies to patient messages — 19%
- Translation — 18%
- Help with diagnosis — 17%
Notice that “help with diagnosis” is near the bottom. For most doctors, AI is a smart assistant, not a second doctor.
You can read the full findings on the American Medical Association website.
The 4 places a doctor using AI shows up
Here is where you are most likely to meet AI in a clinic or hospital today.
1. The phone or app that listens and takes notes
This is called an AI scribe — a phone or computer app that listens to your conversation with the doctor and turns it into written notes. The doctor no longer needs to type while you talk. Instead, they can look at you.
This is the use most patients notice. It is also the one that raises the most privacy questions, because it records what you say.
2. A quick “look it up” during your visit
Doctors cannot remember every new study. Tools like OpenEvidence let them type a question, such as “best treatment for this rare rash”, and get a short answer with links to real medical papers. Think of it as a very fast medical library.
3. The reply to your patient portal message
When you send your doctor a message through an app or website, AI may write the first draft of the reply. Ideally, a nurse or doctor reads and fixes it before it reaches you.
4. Scans and test results
Some hospitals use AI to scan X-rays, mammograms and other images. The AI flags spots that look worrying, and a human specialist then takes a closer look. This is the most “medical” use, and it is usually tested and approved more strictly.
Key takeaway: A doctor using AI today is mostly getting help with writing, reading and searching — the human still owns the decision.
Can I say no to an AI scribe?
Yes, in most places you can. In the UK, NHS guidance says doctors must tell you at the start of the visit if an AI scribe is on, and must stop using it if you object. In Australia, doctors are told to get your informed consent first. If you say no, the doctor simply types notes the old way.
The rules differ by country:
- United Kingdom: NHS England guidance says doctors do not need to ask for written consent. But they must tell you the tool is being used, and if you object, they cannot use it. The doctor also stays responsible for checking the notes are correct.
- Australia: Ahpra, the body that registers health workers, says doctors should get your informed consent before recording a visit with an AI scribe. A sign in the waiting room is not enough.
- United States: There is no single national rule. Recording laws vary from state to state. California has an extra law, AB 3030, which has applied since January 2025. It says that if a clinic sends you a health message written by AI, and no human has reviewed it, the message must say so. It must also tell you how to reach a real person.
If you live somewhere else, including India, the simplest move is to ask your doctor directly. You can also ask them to pause the tool while you discuss something sensitive.
What do patients think about AI in the doctor’s office?
People are split, and many do not even know it is happening. A UK poll for the patient group Healthwatch England found that nearly 9 in 10 recent patients did not know an AI scribe had been used. Most people want to be asked first, and comfort drops sharply for private topics.
The poll of 4,039 adults, run by YouGov in April 2026, found:
- 81% want to be told and asked before an AI scribe is used.
- 48% would be comfortable with it at a routine check-up.
- Only 28% would be comfortable with it during a mental health visit, and 29% for sexual health.
- Support for rolling it out was almost a tie: 38% for and 37% against.
Doctors have worries too. In the AMA survey, 88% said they were concerned about losing their own skills if they lean on AI too much. And 86% said patient data privacy was a top priority.
You can see the full results on the Healthwatch England website.
Should you worry if your doctor uses AI?
Not by default. Used well, AI can give your doctor more time to listen to you instead of staring at a keyboard. But a few things are worth watching.
- Mistakes in notes. AI can mishear or mix things up. Ask to see your visit notes afterwards, especially the list of medicines.
- Where the recording goes. It is fair to ask which company makes the tool and whether your recording is stored.
- Confident-sounding answers. AI answers can sound sure even when they are wrong. A good doctor treats them as a hint, not a verdict.
The same “sounds sure but might be wrong” problem shows up on social media too. We covered it in our guide on how to tell if a TikTok doctor is AI-generated. For more numbers on how fast AI is spreading, see our list of real AI statistics from across industries.
Key takeaway: AI in your doctor’s office is normal now; your right to know, to ask questions and to say no is what matters most.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many doctors use AI?
A 2026 American Medical Association survey found that 81% of US doctors use AI at work, up from 38% in 2023. Most use it for research summaries, notes and paperwork rather than diagnosis.
What is an AI scribe at the doctor’s office?
An AI scribe is an app that listens to your conversation with the doctor and writes up the visit notes. The doctor is supposed to check and correct the notes before they go into your record.
Can I refuse to let my doctor use AI?
In the UK and Australia, official guidance says you should be told and can object to an AI scribe. In the US, rules vary by state, but most clinics will turn it off if you ask. Declining should not affect your care.
What is OpenEvidence?
OpenEvidence is an AI search tool made for doctors. It answers medical questions with links to published research. In September 2026 it raised $250 million at a $15 billion value, and its CEO says about 40% of US doctors use it.
Does AI make the final decision about my treatment?
No. Under current guidance in the UK, Australia and the US, the doctor stays responsible for your care and your records. AI can suggest or draft, but a human is expected to check and decide.
