Abstract 34: Attitudes and perception of artificial intelligence in healthcare: A cross-sectional survey among Arkansas-Louisiana-Texas (ArkLATX) veterans with cancer.

Abstract Background: The attitudes about the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in healthcare are controversial. Unlike the perception of healthcare professionals, the attitudes of cancer patients, especially veterans, have hardly been explored. In this quality improvement study, we aimed at investigating veterans’ perception of AI within the VA among this highly relevant group, along with digital affinity and sociodemographic factors. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey using a questionnaire-based interview with patients at Overton Brooks VA Medical Center Hematology-Oncology Clinics from December 2024 to February 2025. The questionnaire consisted of sections exploring demographics, participants’ technical affinity, and their perception of the utility of AI in healthcare, the providers’ AI competence, their concerns, and the need for oversight. Results: A total of 250 participants were accrued with a median age of 72. Ninety-one percent were men, with 52% finishing high school and 44% feeling comfortable using technology. More than 78% read or heard about artificial intelligence, but only 8% reported knowing a lot. Asked about their general perception of AI utility in healthcare, 55% of the respondents rated the use of artificial intelligence as positive or very positive, 48% agreed to its incorporation in their own medical care, but only 11% held a negative or very negative perception. Forty percent of veterans expressed concerns about potential AI safety and security issues. Forty-five percent thought the providers knew enough about AI to use it properly. Ninety-five percent wanted artificial intelligence to be rigorously tested and deployed with a physician in the loop. Unlike age, sex, and educational level, only certain aspects of technical affinity statistically impacted the perception of AI healthcare utility, concerns, and AI oversight. Conclusions: ArkLATX veterans with cancer are mostly open to the use of AI in healthcare. Although showing little to no knowledge about AI, a majority had a positive perception of its utility in healthcare. Nevertheless, veterans insist that a physician supervises AI and assumes ultimate responsibility for diagnosis and therapeutics. Citation Format: Philip A. Haddad, Sireesha Vutukuri, Philip Bouchette, Crystal Barmer, Ankita Gupta. Attitudes and perception of artificial intelligence in healthcare: A cross-sectional survey among Arkansas-Louisiana-Texas (ArkLATX) veterans with cancer abstract. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2026; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2026 Apr 17-22; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2026;86(7 Suppl):Abstract nr 34.