India has emerged as the global leader in adopting artificial intelligence for personal health, with 85% of consumers already using AI-powered tools – far ahead of major developed markets, a new report revealed on Tuesday.
According to a Boston Consulting Group (BCG) study titled “Consumers Are Ready for AI-Enabled Health Care. Health Systems Need to Be, Too,” Indian users are embracing generative AI at a pace unmatched globally. The survey, conducted across 15 countries with over 13,000 respondents, showed India’s adoption rate significantly surpasses that of the United States (50%), the United Kingdom (43%), and Japan (34%). Globally, nearly 60% of consumers reported using AI for health-related purposes.
The findings highlight a shift in patient attitudes, with most preferring a hybrid model where human doctors are supported by AI rather than replaced. Current use is concentrated in chatbots (33%) and wearable devices (19%), but expectations are evolving toward “agentic AI” capable of booking appointments, managing referrals, and flagging drug interactions. Younger generations are driving this trend, with 78% of Gen Z and 71% of Millennials reporting AI use for health tasks.
The report underscores India’s growing comfort with digital healthcare tools and its potential to shape the future of AI-enabled health systems. Analysts noted that while adoption is high, health systems worldwide must adapt quickly to meet consumer expectations for advanced AI integration in managing chronic conditions and interpreting test results.