Utilization of AI Among Medical Students and Development of AI Education Platforms in Medical Institutions:...

The emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) is driving digital transformation and reshaping medical education in China. Numerous medical schools and institutions are actively implementing AI tools for case-based learning, literature analysis, and lecture support. This expanding application is accelerating the adoption of localized AI platforms, which are poised to become integral components in the coming years.

The primary aim of this study was to investigate the current use of AI tools among medical students, including usage frequency, commonly used platforms, and purposes of use. The second aim was to explore students' needs and expectations toward AI-powered medical education platforms by collecting and assessing student feedback, and to identify practical requirements across disciplines and academic stages to inform more effective platform design.

Based on the task-technology fit model and 5 hypotheses, an anonymous online questionnaire was conducted to assess AI usage in learning, gather student feedback on AI-powered medical education platforms, and evaluate expected functionalities. The survey was conducted from March 1 to May 31, 2025, using a convenience sampling method to recruit medical students from various disciplines across Shanghai, China. The sample size was determined at 422, accounting for a 10% rate of invalid responses. The questionnaire was developed and distributed online via Wenjuanxing and promoted through WeChat groups and in-person interviews. Data analysis was conducted employing IBM SPSS Statistics (v 27.0).

A total of 428 valid questionnaires were collected. The average frequency of AI-assisted learning among medical students was 5.06 (SD 2.05) times per week. Over 90% (388/428) of the students used more than 2 AI tools in their daily tasks. Students from different disciplines, educational stages, and academic systems demonstrated different usage patterns and expectations for AI-powered medical education platforms.

AI technology is widely accepted by medical students and is extensively applied across various aspects of medical education. Significant differences are observed in usage patterns across disciplines, educational stages, and academic systems. Understanding the actual needs of students is crucial for the construction of AI-powered medical education platforms.