Awareness, Trust, and Concerns Regarding AI in Healthcare: A Survey-Based Study Among Respondents in Pakistan

Abstract

Pakistan's National AI Policy 2025, approved by the Federal Cabinet in July 2025, identifies healthcare as a strategic pillar for national development and economic transformation. While the policy emphasises AI integration across medical services and establishes regulatory frameworks for ethical implementation, limited empirical evidence exists regarding public perception, acceptance, and readiness for AI-driven healthcare technologies. Understanding stakeholder perspectives is critical for successful implementation, particularly given concerns raised by human rights organizations regarding privacy, algorithmic bias, and inclusive community engagement in policy rollout. This study examines public perception of artificial intelligence in healthcare among a diverse sample of Pakistani respondents, identifying key factors influencing trust, acceptance, and willingness to use AI-based medical systems, as well as primary concerns and barriers to adoption. A cross-sectional, descriptive survey was conducted with 51 respondents through an online form, with data collection instruments measuring familiarity with AI in healthcare, information sources, prior experience with AI tools, attitudes toward AI based diagnosis and treatment, trust in AI systems, supported applications, primary concerns, and factors that would increase comfort with AI adoption. A Descriptive statistical analysis was performed on all variables, complemented by thematic coding of open ended responses. The study is expected to identify levels of public familiarity and acceptance of AI in healthcare, demographic variations in attitudes and concerns, primary barriers to adoption (including privacy, bias, and job displacement concerns), and key factors enabling greater public trust an acceptance. Findings will inform policy implementation aligned with public values, address human rights frameworks emphasising privacy and transparency, and guide stakeholder engagement strategies. Results complement existing research on healthcare professionals' perspectives, providing essential evidence of general public perception to support evidence-based AI healthcare implementation in Pakistan.