February 10, 2026
RED FM News Desk
Difficulties in accessing timely healthcare in Canada are driving citizens to rely on Artificial Intelligence (AI) for medical advice, a trend that is proving to be potentially dangerous. According to a new report by the Canadian Medical Association (CMA), individuals who rely on AI for health information are five times more likely to suffer harm compared to those who do not.
The study highlights a growing digital dependence, revealing that 89% of Canadians turn to the internet for health information because it is fast and convenient. While only 27% of the population expresses full confidence in AI, nearly half of all Canadians are already using AI tools to diagnose or treat illnesses. Despite this shift toward automation, 85% of Canadians maintain that they trust their doctors most for accurate health identifications.
Dr. Margot Burnell, President of the CMA, addressed the systemic failures forcing this behavior. “For years, we have discussed how Canadians are not getting healthcare when they need it,” she stated. “As a result, people have no choice but to turn to questionable information available on the internet, and we are now seeing the evidence that this is causing them actual harm.”
The report also sheds light on a growing “infodemic” originating from south of the border. Approximately 77% of Canadians expressed deep concern regarding health misinformation coming from the United States. This influx of unreliable data has created a climate of extreme skepticism, with 69% of respondents admitting they are now afraid to trust even the sources they should be able to rely on.
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