Who's Thinking About AI? Patterns of Artificial Intelligence Reference Across the Australian Specialist Digital...

Artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping healthcare delivery, management, and education worldwide, creating new opportunities and challenges for the digital health workforce. This study examined the demographic, educational and professional characteristics of Australian digital health specialists who identified AI as an important area of knowledge, skill, or competency they would need to develop by 2026. Data were drawn from the 2023 Specialist Digital Health Workforce Census. Respondents' open-text responses about future skill needs were coded into 'Mentions AI' or 'Does Not Mention AI'. Pearson Chi-Square tests were used to identify associations. Of 870 valid responses, 12.3% (107/870) mentioned AI, with mentions significantly associated with age, education level, occupation, professional membership, and workforce profile. Awareness and preparedness for AI varied across the workforce, with older and more highly education professionals more likely to identify AI as a developmental priority. Integrating AI competencies into national frameworks and professional development is vital to ensure a future-ready digital health workforce.