Madrid, Spain (October 28, 2026) — Artificial Intelligence is becoming part of clinical practice for Spain’s newest doctors, yet medical training and institutional support may not be keeping pace, according to a new exploratory report published by We Are Innovation. The exploratory survey titled “The AI-Native Resident: How Spain’s Newest Doctors Are Using Artificial Intelligence” examines the experiences and attitudes of 30 medical residents across 14 specialties in Spain. The findings offer a glimpse into how young healthcare professionals are engaging with AI and the challenges they face.
Of all the respondents, 87% reported using AI tools at least several times a week, while 97% said they had used AI to support decisions involving real patients, particularly for differential diagnoses and treatment queries. Nearly all participants (97%) also reported that AI saves them time, with 60% estimating savings of at least one hour per week.
Despite these perceived benefits regarding the use of AI, the survey has found significant gaps in training and institutional support. When asked about how they learned to use AI tools, 90% of respondents said they learned to use AI independently, while only 7% said they had received formal training. Furthermore, 93% felt that Spain’s medical residency programme (MIR) provided little or no preparation for using AI effectively. Moreover, 80% claimed to rely on free personal AI accounts, and none reported having access to institutionally provided tools.
Participants also noted some AI limitations. While 97% expressed concerns about errors or AI-generated “hallucinations,” only 33% regularly verified AI outputs against independent sources. These findings reinforce the importance of practical training, clear guidelines, and appropriate safeguards to ensure responsible clinical use.
The report also reveals a clear and consistent message: residents want institutions to actively support AI, and they want regulation that does not get in the way. While 83% of respondents believe health authorities should actively promote and facilitate AI adoption, 63% fear that excessive regulation could become a barrier to accessing valuable technologies. Equally striking, 63% expressed concern that Europe risks falling behind other regions in medical AI adoption, highlighting a strong preference for policies that enable innovation rather than restrict it.
For We Are Innovation these findings highlight the importance of policies that enable healthcare professionals to benefit from technological progress while maintaining patient safety and clinical responsibility. The global network recommends integrating AI training into medical education, improving institutional access to reliable tools, and adopting proportionate, evidence-based regulatory approaches rather than unnecessary restrictions.
Looking ahead, 97% of participating residents expected AI to significantly improve medicine over the next decade, with most envisioning it as a tool that supports medical professionals, not one that replaces them.
Bernardino Azarías, Health Futures Fellow at We Are Innovation, explains, “Artificial Intelligence use is growing among physicians despite a lack of specialized training, while demand for it continues to rise”.
Federico N. Fernández, CEO of We Are Innovation, says, “Spain’s young doctors are already using AI, and many fear Europe’s regulatory instinct will keep useful tools out of their hands. Blocking experimentation is not risk-free. Its cost is the better diagnoses and improved care that never arrive. Europe should make the freedom to innovate the default and respond to real problems if and when they arise. The question is not only what could go wrong if doctors use AI, but what is lost when they cannot.”
Ultimately, this study presents an exciting opportunity for Spain to lead the next wave of innovation in healthcare. The enthusiasm and early adoption of AI among the country’s newest doctors demonstrate a strong foundation for progress. By building on this momentum through practical training, greater access to reliable technologies, and evidence-based regulation, Spain can empower a whole new generation of medical professionals. With the right support and safeguards, AI can become a powerful ally in clinical practice, enabling more informed decisions, greater efficiency, and ultimately better care and outcomes for patients.
ENDS
ABOUT WE ARE INNOVATION
We Are Innovation is a dynamic network of individuals and institutions who deeply believe in innovation’s power to drive progress and solve the world’s most pressing problems. With over 60 think tanks, foundations, and NGOs based worldwide, We Are Innovation represents the diverse voices of a global civil society committed to advancing human creativity, adopting new technologies, and promoting innovative solutions. Through our collaborative approach and cutting edge expertise, we are driving global transformative change. To learn more about our work, visit us at https://weareinnovation.global/.
