UK Healthcare Sector Lags in AI Adoption, Study Reveals

Key Takeaways

73% of UK healthcare professionals have never used AI, the highest rate in Europe.
Fear of errors and lack of confidence are major barriers to AI adoption in the UK.
76% of NHS staff support using AI for patient care, indicating high demand despite underutilization.

AI Adoption Lagging in UK Healthcare Sector

A recent pan-European study highlights that the UK healthcare sector is lagging in the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI), with 73% of healthcare professionals (HCPs) having never utilized AI. This study, conducted by healthcare AI company Corti alongside YouGov, surveyed 1,794 HCPs across the UK, Denmark, France, and Germany. Of these, 507 respondents were from the UK, with the survey conducted between November 26 and 28, 2024.

The research indicates that the reluctance to adopt AI in the UK is influenced by various concerns. Notably, 62% of UK HCPs pointed to a fear of errors as a significant barrier, which is substantially higher than the rates in France (44%), Germany (53%), and Denmark (56%). Additionally, less than 25% of UK HCPs reported feeling comfortable with using AI tools, which is below the European average of 31%. A further complication arises from a lack of awareness, with 35% of UK responders admitting they do not comprehend how AI could enhance their work, such as through automation of patient notes or aiding in clinical decision-making.

Andreas Cleve, co-founder and CEO of Corti, emphasized the vital role AI plays in healthcare’s future success. He noted that while rapid advancements have been made, most available AI tools are built on general-purpose frameworks that do not accommodate the healthcare sector’s complexities. Cleve criticized these tools for underperforming and failing to effectively scale beyond trials due to issues with accuracy, cost, and integration, creating a valid distrust among clinicians.

Burnout among HCPs in the UK is also a pressing issue, with rates at 64% over the past year—significantly higher than Germany’s 41% and France’s 47%. The demanding workloads have led 26% of UK healthcare professionals to consider leaving their positions on a weekly basis. Despite the potential for AI to alleviate some of this pressure, its adoption remains significantly lower compared to other European nations.

The study’s release coincides with the launch of Corti’s specialized AI infrastructure designed for the healthcare sector. Evidence indicates a strong demand for AI within the NHS. A study conducted by the Health Foundation in July 2024 revealed that 76% of NHS staff are in favor of using AI to improve patient care, while another survey involving 1,292 NHS employees and 7,200 UK citizens showed that 81% support the application of AI for administrative tasks. This suggests that while the potential for AI to enhance healthcare is recognized, the current implementation and acceptance levels lag behind, indicating an urgent need for targeted strategies to improve AI integration in the UK healthcare system.

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