Transformations of Medical Professional Authority in the Age of Artificial Intelligence and Medical Automation: A Panel Analysis of the G20 Healthcare Sector (2015–2022)

Abstract This study explores the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) and automation technologies on the professional authority of physicians in G20 countries. By analyzing panel data from 2015 to 2022, the research investigates how the adoption of digital health infrastructure—measured through an ICT index—affects the average number of doctor visits per capita. The findings suggest a statistically significant negative relationship, indicating that as digital health tools become more prevalent, the traditional role and authority of physicians may shift. This transformation reflects broader changes in the doctor-patient relationship and raises sociological questions about trust, expertise, and control over medical knowledge. The study contributes to the sociology of professions by highlighting how technology can reshape established authority structures in healthcare systems.