Canadians may ask AI for medical advice but don’t want it replacing humans, poll suggests

Source Domain: www.cbc.ca

A new poll suggests that while some Canadians are using AI chatbots for medical advice, many remain hesitant about AI making medical decisions or replacing doctor visits.
46% of respondents had asked an AI chatbot for medical advice in the past year, but 68% preferred to wait for a doctor’s consultation rather than get an immediate AI-generated diagnosis.
Only 13% were comfortable with AI independently diagnosing and prescribing medication.
Concerns were raised about the impact of AI on the healthcare system, privacy breaches, and potential profit for private tech companies from public health systems.
40% of respondents believed AI will worsen Canadian healthcare in 10 years, while 30% thought it would improve it.
There was a significant worry that AI will make medical visits feel cold and impersonal, and concerns were raised about privacy and data sharing.
Experts acknowledge the opportunity for AI to complement, rather than replace, human judgment in healthcare systems, emphasizing the need for transparency and safeguarding personal information.

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