Statement from leading physician organizations on the role of augmented intelligence in healthcare 

For immediate release: Sept. 30, 2026

The following organizations issued the joint statement below today:
American Academy of Family Physicians
American Academy of Pediatrics
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
American College of Physicians
American College of Surgeons
American Medical Association

“Statements suggesting AI is inherently better informed than physicians, or that physicians cannot be trusted to make clinical decisions without first consulting this technology, diminish physician expertise and risk undermining patients’ trust.

“Physicians evaluate patients in context, drawing on years of training and experience. They ask questions, understand each patient’s unique needs and circumstances, exercise professional judgment and take responsibility for the care they provide.

“Physicians have long embraced technologies that improve care, and AI has tremendous potential to provide new tools and insights. But patient safety, physician expertise and the humanity of clinical practice must guide how these tools are developed and used.

“Pitting physicians against technology or suggesting AI should replace physician expertise does not advance this important work. We need to move carefully, and we need to get this right.

“As medical societies representing physicians across the country, we are committed to ensuring physicians help lead the responsible development and use of AI in medicine.”

About the American Academy of Family Physicians
The AAFP is the largest national association of family physicians, representing 124,500 physicians and medical students. Family medicine’s cornerstone is an ongoing, personal patient-physician relationship focused on impactful care for people of all ages, races and genders across all medical conditions. The AAFP supports every stage of a family physician's career and provides evidence-based resources, advocacy and community to empower family medicine. To learn more, visit aafp.org. For information about health care, medical conditions and wellness, please visit the AAFP’s patient education website, familydoctor.org​.