Canadians Use AI Health Advice But Still Trust Doctors Most

Canadians are increasingly turning to artificial intelligence for medical advice, but a new poll suggests most people are not ready to let AI replace doctors. A Liaison Strategies survey of 1,526 Canadian adults found that 46 per cent of respondents had used an AI chatbot for medical advice in the past year. This shows that AI is already becoming part of how people look for health information. However, the same survey found that Canadians are still drawing a strong line between using AI as a helpful tool and trusting it to make serious medical decisions.

The clearest concern is around diagnosis and treatment. According to the poll, 68 per cent of Canadians said they would rather wait two weeks to see a real doctor than receive an immediate AI-generated diagnosis. Only 13 per cent said they were comfortable with AI diagnosing them and prescribing medication without a doctor involved. Even though 47 per cent of respondents rated their access to a family doctor or clinic as poor, most still preferred human medical judgment over a faster AI answer. This suggests that frustration with the health-care system does not mean Canadians are willing to accept fully autonomous AI care.

Canadians appear more open to AI when it supports doctors instead of replacing them. The survey found that 42 per cent of respondents were comfortable with AI scanning X-rays or skin images for cancer before a doctor reviews them. Another 31 per cent were comfortable with an AI note-taker during a doctor’s visit, while 39 per cent supported sharing anonymous health records with researchers to improve AI tools. These results show that many people can see value in AI for assisting with screening, paperwork, and efficiency, as long as a human professional remains responsible for final decisions.

At the same time, trust remains a major barrier. Seventy-eight per cent of respondents said they were worried AI would make medical visits feel cold or less personal. Privacy was another major concern, with 52 per cent saying they were very worried that hospital AI systems could make health records more vulnerable to hackers. The poll also found that 83 per cent were concerned that private technology companies could profit too much from Canada’s public health-care system. These concerns show that the debate is not only about whether AI can be accurate, but also about accountability, privacy, and the human side of care.

Experts say the findings point to a need for caution and transparency. David Valentin of Liaison Strategies said Canadians are not rejecting AI completely, but they are setting clear limits on what it should be allowed to do. Dr. Amol Verma, a clinician scientist at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto and a professor of AI in medicine at the University of Toronto, said AI could help with administrative work such as scheduling staff or deliveries. However, he also said current AI is not reliable enough to replace human judgment and should be used to complement doctors, not take their place.

The poll reflects a larger challenge for health systems as AI tools become more common. Recent concerns about AI medical scribes making errors, including incorrect medications and missing patient details, show why strong safeguards are needed. Experts say AI-generated notes should be reviewed by clinicians, health workers should receive proper training, and hospitals should monitor how these tools perform in real settings. Canadians may be willing to use AI for advice and support, but they still want proof that it is safe, private, and guided by human care.

Works Cited

Liaison Strategies. “AI in Health Care: Canadians Using AI, But Draw the Line at Autonomous Diagnosis.” Liaison Strategies, 27 May 2026, press.liaisonstrategies.ca/ai-in-health-care-canadians-using-ai-but-draw-the-line-at-autonomous-diagnosis/. 

MSN. “Poll Finds Canadians Wary of AI Replacing Doctors.” MSN, 27 May 2026, www.msn.com/en-ca/news/insight/poll-finds-canadians-wary-of-ai-replacing-doctors/gm-GM6D8B815F. 

Petz, Sarah. “Canadians May Ask AI for Medical Advice but Don’t Want It Replacing Humans, Poll Suggests.” CBC News, 27 May 2026, www.cbc.ca/news/health/ai-healthcare-canadians-poll-9.7213138. 

“AI in Robotics Surgery.” Atlantic International University, 2025, www.aiu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/ai-in-robotics-surgery23.jpg. 

“Artificial Intelligence in Health Care.” Harvard Health Publishing, Jan. 2024, content.health.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/05d88a27-79aa-41a2-84f5-91e5b5eb36ff.jpg.