Exploring perspectives on artificial intelligence: awareness, attitudes, and knowledge among health majors students at Saudi universities

Background The world is witnessing tremendous development in the field of new digital tools, including artificial intelligence (AI), in all sectors, including the health and medical sectors. However, educational and training opportunities in the field of artificial intelligence remain nascent and limited. Hence, this study aims to assess the awareness, attitudes, and knowledge of artificial intelligence among students of health specialties in Saudi universities and to assess whether artificial intelligence is viewed as a beneficial innovation or a potential threat to healthcare roles. Methods This cross-sectional study included 498 male and female students from various health colleges at different Saudi universities. The participants completed an online questionnaire adapted from previous studies to assess their awareness, attitudes, and knowledge of artificial intelligence. Descriptive statistics and chi-square analyses were conducted to explore the associations between variables related to artificial intelligence and other factors. Results Most students showed a high level of awareness of artificial intelligence, with social media being identified as their main source of information about artificial intelligence. While students’ attitudes towards AI were generally positive, for example, 89.2% of the students believed that AI would be crucial to the future of healthcare, 76.7% supported AI education, and 78.3% were keen to increase their knowledge of AI. In terms of assessing students’ knowledge of AI, the study revealed that the participating students had moderate knowledge of AI principles and skills, with significant gaps in understanding specific AI capabilities and functions. Conclusions While healthcare students in Saudi Arabia demonstrate strong awareness and positive attitudes towards AI, there are significant gaps in practical knowledge. These findings underscore the need for tailored educational strategies to better integrate AI into curricula, thus preparing future healthcare professionals to effectively leverage AI.