Assessing public interest in artificial intelligence in dermatology: A Google Trends analysis

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Artificial Intelligence
• Public Health

Background:

• Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly used in dermatology for diagnostics and patient management.
• Public engagement with AI in dermatology is not well understood.
• This study investigates public interest trends in AI dermatology.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze global public interest in AI dermatology over the past decade.
• To quantify temporal trends in search interest for AI dermatology.
• To identify geographic regions with high public interest in AI dermatology.

Main Methods:

• Utilized Google Trends data from January 2015 to January 2025.
• Categorized search terms into AI dermatology, general AI, and general dermatology groups.
• Applied linear and exponential regression models for trend analysis and geographic evaluation.

Main Results:

• Public interest in AI dermatology terms saw significant increases: 73.6% (2022), 143.6% (2023), and 59.1% (2024).
• AI dermatology terms exhibited a steeper linear growth (6.212) than general AI (6.181) and dermatology (1.61).
• Highest interest was observed in Singapore, Ireland, Australia, the Philippines, New Zealand, and the UAE.

Conclusions:

• There is a substantial and growing global public interest in AI in dermatology.
• Public engagement trends are crucial for AI tool development, clinical integration, patient safety, and equitable access in dermatology.