In 2022, the North American AI market was predicted to be valued at $24.9 billion, establishing itself as a leading regional hub for AI. Various industries, including healthcare, finance, retail, security, and logistics, are being disrupted by a surge of AI-based startups and products. While AI offers significant benefits across many domains, there are concerns. A 2021 survey of US healthcare industry leaders found that 52% worried about security and privacy threats from AI, 45% had safety concerns, and 35% highlighted machine bias worries.
These apprehensions extend to end users, particularly patients and their families, who question the trustworthiness of AI in healthcare. The pivotal query today revolves around whether people have enough faith in AI to entrust it with their well-being. Patient skepticism toward AI originates from concerns about privacy, fears of errors, and the notion of machines replacing human doctors. Yet, reasons to trust AI include personalized care, round-the-clock accessibility, and reduced waiting times. The decision to trust AI with one’s health is subjective; some opt for robotic care, while others prefer human physicians.
The extent of trust in AI’s capabilities varies among patients and clinicians. Administrative tasks like billing and scheduling garner more confidence than personal roles like diagnosis and treatment. Younger adults and those with higher education levels show greater acceptance of AI in healthcare, expecting improved accuracy but fearing harm to patient-provider relationships. Empathy remains crucial in areas like ObGyn and pediatrics, and potential harm could emerge in psychiatric settings.
Incorporating AI into healthcare requires clinician strategies to enhance patient trust. Open disclosure of limitations and benefits, adherence to ethical guidelines, safeguarding data privacy, and patient education contribute to building trust. These actions foster successful AI integration and utilization in healthcare.
Expanding public trust in AI involves several factors. Representation, such as androids resembling humans, forges emotional connections, while user reviews and comprehensibility boost initial trust. Trialability, enabling users to test AI before adoption, enhances trust, as does communication and socialization between AI and humans. The evolving relationship between people and intelligent computers necessitates a focus on data privacy, transparency, and effective technology use to cultivate public trust in AI products.