Perceptions of Intensive Care Nurses Toward Artificial Intelligence Technologies: A Qualitative Study.

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Healthcare Technology
• Artificial Intelligence

Background:

• Intensive care nurses are crucial for patient care.
• Limited understanding exists regarding nurses' perceptions of artificial intelligence (AI) in intensive care units (ICUs).
• Effective integration of AI requires understanding nurses' views.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore intensive care unit (ICU) nurses' perceptions and concerns regarding artificial intelligence (AI).
• To inform strategies for the effective integration of AI in ICUs.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative descriptive design with interpretive elements.
• Semi-structured, face-to-face interviews conducted with 22 ICU nurses in Istanbul, Turkey (September-December 2025).
• Purposive snowball sampling and inductive data analysis using interpretive description.

Main Results:

• Nurses demonstrated limited and fragmented knowledge of AI, primarily through indirect exposure.
• Perceived benefits of AI include improved care quality and support for clinical decision-making.
• Key concerns identified: loss of autonomy, data security, device errors, accountability, and the irreplaceable nature of human presence in care.

Conclusions:

• ICU nurses have a nascent understanding of AI, balancing perceived benefits with significant ethical and safety concerns.
• A strong need for structured education, institutional support, and clear guidelines for AI implementation in ICUs was emphasized.
• Human-centered care remains paramount, necessitating AI integration that complements, rather than replaces, nursing judgment and interaction.