The Use of AI in Healthcare: Students' Opinions on Ethical Considerations, Legal Consequences, and Future Implications

AI in healthcare systems irrefutably improves medical practice and patient care but raises ethical, technical, legal, and societal challenges. This empirical study examined medical students' attitudes toward AI in healthcare, its legal implications, and its future role. The hypothesis tested correlations between positive attitudes and concerns about legal consequences, ethical issues, and future expectations. Data were collected via a nine-item Likert scale questionnaire, ranging from “strongly agree” to “strongly disagree” with additional demographic questions. Examinees mostly agree, with statistical significance, that AI enhances diagnostic accuracy and improves healthcare systems. However, they are concerned about legal consequences and demand legal protection, while opinions on ethical issues are divided. No significant differences in responses were observed by gender, age, program, or year of study. The hypothesis was confirmed. Positive future expectations significantly correlate with perceived legal protection needs and belief in ethical AI standards. Additionally, a weak correlation exists between viewing AI in medicine as ethical and supporting legal protection for healthcare professionals. Study showed that medical students recognize the potential of AI and emphasize the necessity of integrating legal and ethical education into medical curricula to prepare future healthcare professionals for the evolving role of AI in medicine.