The term “artificial intelligence” (AI) was introduced by John McCarthy in 1956 at the Dartmouth Conference1. The adoption of AI in the healthcare sector has expanded considerably due to the growing volume of data and enhanced processing capabilities2. Healthcare professionals and informatics experts involved in designing AI applications must possess a solid grasp of the technology’s basic principles to implement and assess AI-based recommendations appropriately3. With the development of AI, numerous fields in the health sector, such as radiology, dermatology, medicine, pathology, and ophthalmology, have experienced significant impact4. Notably, around 41% of physicians express a mix of enthusiasm and concern regarding the opportunities that AI offers in healthcare5. AI has been incorporated into medical education, particularly through its application in case-based e-learning6. About 32.86% of hospitals in China have implemented at least one AI product, while AI technologies have been incorporated in all university hospitals7.
Although AI offers many benefits, privacy concerns may deter individuals from sharing their information and accessing healthcare services, potentially limiting the broader adoption of AI in healthcare delivery8. AI is increasingly recognized as a transformative force in modern medicine, with the potential to influence clinical practice across nearly all disciplines and health care settings. Despite the promising role of machine learning in enhancing diverse aspects of patient care, its integration into routine practice remains limited. Key challenges and uncertainties persist regarding the adoption and implementation of these technologies within health care systems9. With the development of AI, there is also ongoing concern regarding the ethical issues related to AI10. However, evidence on this topic remains scarce in developing countries such as Bangladesh. And so, to evaluate medical students’ perceptions about AI in order to guide the future development of the health care system, the present study was undertaken.
MATERIALS & METHODS
This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in the month June 2025, at Ashian Medical College and Popular Medical College in Dhaka, Bangladesh – the study sites were chosen conveniently. 102 of 195 students of Ashian Medical College and 283 of 546 students of Popular Medical College, was willing to participate our study – and so, the sample size was 385.
Prior to data collection, informed written consent was obtained from each participant. Data were collected by the principal investigator using a pretested, interviewer-administered schedule through face-to-face interviews while ensuring privacy. The study was conducted by using a pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire with close-ended questions like “yes or no”, “agree or disagree” and liker-type scale. At the end of each interview, questionnaires were reviewed for completeness and cross-checked for accuracy, consistency, and discrepancies. Confidentiality of the collected data was strictly maintained, and participants were assured of their right to withdraw from the study at any stage without providing a reason. The procedure posed no physical, social, or psychological risks to participants. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25.0. Descriptive statistics were presented as frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations according to the nature of the variables.