Healthcare in the future: Artificial intelligence

Abstract

Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly transforming healthcare by improving diagnostics, treatment, and organisation, but raises ethical, legal, and social issues. The aim of research was to examine attitudes of Serbian citizens toward the use of AI in healthcare and differences according to sociodemographic characteristics. The cross-sectional study was conducted during August-September 2025 using anonymous online questionnaire with high reliability (Cronbach's α = 0.96) containing socio-demographic data and scales of AI-related trust, preferences and concerns. There were 522 respondents, 82.8% females, aged 16-80 years, with an average age of 44.7 years (44.7±13.7), mostly with university degree (45.4%). Overall, 57.4% of respondents had positive opinion about use of AI in medicine; 29.6% were completely or fairly confident that AI can improve healthcare. Statistically significant differences were found in general attitude and confidence about AI in relation to education (p < 0.001); more educated respondents had more positive opinion about AI. Gender differences were significant in the choice of visiting healthcare facilities that use AI software (p < 0.001) and in concerns that the use of AI could lead to higher healthcare costs (p = 0.001); men showed greater preference and less concern. Most respondents (70.5%) preferred explainable AI. Attitudes towards AI differed by education and gender. Men were significantly more likely to express willingness to use AI and showed less concern, while respondents with a university degree expressed more positive attitudes, greater trust and stronger preference for using AI, confirming that education plays an important role in acceptance of new technologies.