Doctors Are Using More AI — Here’s How One Health Network Is Protecting Your Data

Introduction

Artificial intelligence tools are showing up in more clinics and hospitals. Doctors use them to draft notes, suggest diagnoses, schedule appointments, and even analyze medical images. For patients, this raises an obvious question: what happens to their personal health information when it passes through an AI system?

That question is becoming harder to ignore. In response, one organization in Ontario has updated its privacy and security training specifically to address the risks that come with clinician AI use. Here’s what happened and what it means for anyone who visits a doctor.

What Happened

OntarioMD, a not-for-profit organization that supports digital health adoption in the province, recently enhanced its privacy and security training for clinicians. The training now covers how privacy laws apply to AI tools, the specific risks these tools introduce, and best practices for handling patient data securely when using AI.

The update comes as more physicians begin experimenting with or relying on AI assistants for everyday tasks. While AI can save time and improve accuracy, it also creates new avenues for data leaks, unauthorized access, or misuse of sensitive information. OntarioMD’s expanded training aims to close that gap before problems become widespread.

The exact details of the curriculum have not been publicly released in full, but the training is described as covering core privacy obligations under Ontario’s health privacy law, plus scenario-based guidance on using AI in a way that limits exposure of personal health information.

Why It Matters

For patients, this training matters because it directly affects how their data is protected during a medical visit. When a doctor uses an AI tool to transcribe a conversation or suggest a diagnosis, the patient’s words, medical history, and other personal details may be sent to a third-party server or processed by an algorithm. Without proper training, clinicians might not realize which tools are safe, what data is being shared, or how to configure privacy settings.

Health data is among the most sensitive personal information. A leak can lead to discrimination, identity theft, or embarrassment. Unlike a stolen credit card number, you cannot change your medical history.

OntarioMD’s move signals that even respected health networks recognize the need for ongoing education. It also puts pressure on other organizations to follow suit, especially as regulatory bodies like the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario continue to issue guidance on AI and health data.

What Readers Can Do

You do not have to wait for a policy change to protect your own information. Here are practical steps you can take when visiting any healthcare provider:

  • Ask about AI use. It is reasonable to ask your doctor or clinic whether they use AI tools for documentation, diagnosis, or scheduling. Most will be transparent if you ask politely.

  • Inquire about data storage. If AI is used, ask where your data is stored and whether it is encrypted. Some tools process data on the device; others send it to a cloud server.

  • Check your rights. Under Ontario’s Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA), you have the right to access your records and know how your information is used. Similar laws exist in other provinces and states.

  • Limit unnecessary sharing. You can decline to have your information used for training AI models. Some clinics offer an opt-out form.

  • Stay informed. Follow updates from privacy commissioners and organizations like OntarioMD to understand what safeguards are expected of healthcare providers.

Sources

  • Yahoo Finance article: “OntarioMD Enhances Privacy and Security Training Amid Growing Clinician Use of AI” (June 11, 2026)
  • OntarioMD official website background (not-for-profit, digital health support)
  • Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA) – Ontario

Note: The full training curriculum details have not been made public. The description of content is based on the organization’s press materials and typical privacy training components.