Portuguese Confidence in AI Grows Despite Limited Awareness in Healthcare

Portuguese Attitudes Toward AI in Healthcare: Awareness, Confidence, and Concerns

More than a third of Portuguese people report having little to no knowledge about the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in healthcare. Specifically, 38% say their understanding is very limited, while 21.6% admit to having no knowledge at all. Despite this, there is a strong sense of confidence in AI’s role within the healthcare sector, with 59% believing it will have a positive impact and 46% expressing trust in its use.

This data comes from a recent questionnaire included in the Sustainable Healthcare Index, developed by NOVA Information Management School (NOVA-IMS), and highlights a generally optimistic outlook among the population.

Key Concerns and Benefits

Concerns remain, primarily around:

• Errors in diagnosis or treatment (56.6%)
• Fear that health professionals might be replaced by machines (55.4%)
• Privacy of personal data (37.8%)

On the other hand, the benefits most cited include faster diagnoses, shorter waiting times, and more effective use of health data. Only 9% of Portuguese respondents have already used AI-based health tools, with applications for symptom consultation (38%), automated diagnosis (36%), and patient care robots or applications (28%) being the most common.

The Role of Regulation and Human Oversight

Technical challenges related to reliability and security are seen as major barriers to wider adoption of AI in healthcare. A significant majority (63%) stress the need for regulation, and 52% believe AI may eventually replace healthcare professionals in certain tasks.

To build trust, 79.6% of respondents highlight the importance of strict human supervision when using AI technologies. Regarding decision-making, 63% prefer that doctors make final diagnostic decisions with AI support, while only 35% want decisions made solely by doctors without AI assistance.

Social Awareness and Data Sharing

Concerns about AI replacing healthcare workers reflect broader social awareness rather than direct opposition to AI itself. Most Portuguese (65%) recognize AI’s importance for sustaining the health system, and 56% are willing to share their health data with AI systems to improve care quality.

This willingness to share personal data suggests growing public trust, which can be critical for successful AI integration in healthcare services.

Practical Takeaways for Healthcare Professionals

• Communicate clearly about AI tools to address knowledge gaps and build patient confidence.
• Emphasize the role of human oversight to alleviate fears about errors and job replacement.
• Advocate for transparent and strict regulatory frameworks to ensure safe AI deployment.
• Promote the proven benefits of AI, such as faster diagnosis and better data use, to encourage acceptance.

Healthcare professionals interested in enhancing their understanding of AI and its applications can explore practical courses and resources at Complete AI Training.