Indian consumers are emerging as global frontrunners in the adoption of artificial intelligence in healthcare, with India recording an 85% usage rate for AI-powered personal health tools—the highest globally, according to a new Boston Consulting Group (BCG) study. The findings suggest that patient behaviour is rapidly outpacing the readiness of health systems, setting the stage for a structural shift in how care is accessed and delivered.

The report, titled “Consumers Are Ready for AI-Enabled Health Care. Health Systems Need to Be, Too,” is based on a survey of more than 13,000 consumers across 15 countries. It highlights that nearly 60% of global respondents already use AI for health-related tasks, but India stands significantly ahead of developed markets such as the US (50%), UK (43%), and Japan (34%).

India drives global AI health leap

India’s dominant position reflects both high digital engagement and growing reliance on technology to bridge healthcare access gaps. BCG notes that emerging markets like India are increasingly viewing AI as an “access extender,” enabling patients to navigate fragmented healthcare systems more efficiently and cost-effectively.

The study also indicates that younger users are driving much of this adoption cycle, with 78% of Gen Z and 71% of Millennials already integrating AI into their health routines.

From chatbots to intelligent care ecosystems

Current usage remains concentrated in AI chatbots (33%) and wearable devices (19%), but expectations are evolving quickly. Consumers are now demanding more advanced “agentic AI” capabilities—systems that can schedule appointments, manage referrals, and flag potential drug interactions autonomously.

Importantly, the report finds that patients are not rejecting human care. Instead, they prefer a hybrid model where clinicians are supported by AI, particularly for tasks such as interpreting test results and managing chronic conditions.

Trust and data privacy remain critical hurdles

Despite strong adoption, trust continues to be a major constraint. Around 62% of respondents expressed concerns over data privacy, while 59% questioned the reliability of AI-driven medical advice. BCG stresses that addressing these concerns will be critical for scaling adoption responsibly.

The consultancy urges healthcare leaders to move from cautious experimentation to structured implementation, recommending “no-regrets” actions such as building secure data frameworks and integrating AI into digital health platforms and patient portals.

BCG said India’s digitally active consumer base positions the country to potentially “leapfrog” traditional healthcare delivery models, provided systems can align governance, trust, and innovation at scale.