Question 18 of 20 · People and society
Privacy, security, trust and concentration
Who holds the data, and what happens if they fail?
1 min read · Partly measured today
Health information is sensitive, and AI systems can add new risks of leakage, cyberattack, vendor dependence and blurred accountability.
What we can measure today
- Established now
86% of physicians in the AMA survey called privacy assurances important to adoption, and 85% want to be consulted or responsible for how AI comes into their practice.
What this does not prove: Physicians' stated preferences, not what their institutions do.
American Medical Association, March 2026
2026 Physician Survey on Augmented Intelligence
Scope: United States. 1,692 physicians, fielded January 15 to February 2, 2026.
How it was done: Voluntary, self-reported survey. Full and qualified partial responses are included, and each percentage reflects those who answered that question.
Limits: Reports what physicians say, not what happens to patients. The question list changed between waves, so the AMA itself cautions against strict comparison across years.
Checked against the original on November 6, 2026.
Open the source (opens in a new tab) - Established now
Of 626 companies with at least one FDA-authorized AI device, most hold only one or two, while GE Healthcare leads with 93.
What this does not prove: A device count, not a measure of market power or patient data.
Stanford HAI, 2026
The 2026 AI Index Report, Chapter 6: Medicine
Scope: Global research, with U.S. data on FDA authorizations.
How it was done: An annual review that summarizes studies by other researchers.
Limits: A summary of studies with different designs. Each headline figure comes from one setup and does not generalize on its own.
Checked against the original on November 6, 2026.
Open the source (opens in a new tab)
What may change
- Data intermediaries and who owns models.
- National rules and patient-controlled records.
What may endure
- The need for confidentiality, safety, transparency and consent.
The hard questions
- Who owns the data?
- Can an institution verify a model?
- What happens if a vendor fails?
Evidence worth watching
Breaches · Regulatory actions · Vendor dependency · Security evaluations
Sources last checked November 6, 2026
Next review by February 6, 2027.
What changed, and how we decideCareer guidance, not medical, legal or financial advice. For a major loan or licensing decision, talk with a qualified professional, and bring your questions from here.
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