AI Use or Non-use by First-Year Medical Students: A Qualitative Study of Perspectives, Usage, and Recommendations

Background Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reshaping healthcare and medical education, with growing calls to embed it in medical curricula. However, evidence on first-year medical students, perceived benefits and limitations of AI, and views on ethics and professionalism is limited. Methods A qualitative study was conducted using semi-structured interviews to explore the experiences, attitudes, and perceptions of first-year students regarding AI. Convenience sampling yielded the participant cohort. Recruitment and analysis continued until thematic saturation was achieved. Transcripts were coded iteratively using NVivo software, and a reflexive thematic analysis was undertaken. Results Twenty participants were interviewed; 18 were AI users, to varying degrees, and two were non-users. Seven themes emerged: How AI is used; Benefits; Concerns and limitations; Ethical considerations; Advice for peers and professors; Attitudes toward and understanding of AI; and Participation in the project. AI users cited motivations like efficiency, personalization, and support. Benefits included faster access to information, organized content, and tailored explanations. Concerns included AI reliability, over-reliance, and ethical misuse, such as plagiarism. Most supported the inclusion of AI literacy in curricula for responsible, practical, and critical use of AI. Participants with AI literacy demonstrated a deeper understanding of AI. Conclusions We found that students in the medical school we studied are early adopters of AI, using it in various ways, and wish to utilize it effectively and ethically. The findings of this study align with other studies in other jurisdictions that call for early AI literacy.