How AI Is Changing Your Doctor’s Privacy Practices (And What It Means for You)

Artificial intelligence is making its way into more doctors’ offices than ever before. Tools that help analyze medical images, summarize patient histories, or suggest diagnoses are becoming common. But behind the promises of faster, more accurate care lies a less discussed question: what happens to your health data when it’s fed into an AI system?

In Ontario, one organization is trying to address that question head‑on. OntarioMD, a provincial body that supports digital health adoption, recently announced expanded privacy and security training for clinicians as AI use grows. For patients, this move is a signal that even the medical community is still catching up to the privacy implications of this technology. Here’s what you need to know.

What Happened

OntarioMD, funded by the Ontario Medical Association and the province’s Ministry of Health, helps doctors adopt electronic medical records and other digital tools. In June 2026, it announced it was enhancing its existing privacy and security training to specifically cover the use of AI in clinical settings.

According to reports, the updated training covers:

  • How to assess whether an AI tool is secure and compliant with Ontario’s privacy laws
  • Ethical considerations when using AI to inform patient care
  • Steps to protect patient data when third‑party AI vendors are involved

The initiative is part of a broader push to ensure that physicians aren’t just technically proficient with AI, but also aware of the legal and ethical boundaries that come with it.

Why It Matters for Patients

If your doctor uses an AI tool, your personal health information may be processed by software that runs on external servers. That data could include diagnoses, lab results, prescription history, or even genetic information. While many AI tools are designed to anonymize data, there is always a risk of re‑identification or unauthorized access.

Training like OntarioMD’s helps reduce that risk by making sure clinicians know what to ask before adopting a new AI tool. But it also highlights a bigger issue: the regulatory landscape around AI in healthcare is still evolving. In Canada, health data is protected under laws like the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA), but those laws were written long before AI became mainstream. Gaps exist.

Another concern is that many AI tools are developed and hosted by private companies. When a doctor uses a free or low‑cost AI app, it’s not always clear where the data goes, how long it’s stored, or whether it’s used to train the company’s models. OntarioMD’s training aims to bring clarity to these questions, but the ultimate responsibility for data protection still lies with the individual clinician and the clinic.

What You Can Do as a Patient

You don’t have to be an expert in data security to protect your health information. Here are a few practical steps:

  • Ask your doctor directly. You can say, “Are you using any AI tools in my care, and what data do they have access to?” Many physicians will appreciate the question and may explain their process.
  • Read privacy notices. Before signing consent forms at a clinic, look for language about data sharing with third parties. If you don’t understand it, ask for clarification.
  • Know your rights. Under Canadian privacy law, you have the right to request information about how your data is collected, used, and stored. You can also ask to correct errors or, in some cases, withdraw consent.
  • Limit what you share if possible. Not all data needs to be entered into every system. For instance, if a mental health history or substance use history isn’t directly relevant to a routine check‑up, you can ask whether it’s necessary to include it in certain AI‑driven tools.
  • Report concerns. If you suspect your health data has been mishandled, you can file a complaint with the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada or your provincial privacy commissioner.

It’s worth noting that some AI tools are used purely for administrative purposes (like scheduling or billing) and never see clinical data. Others are deeply integrated into diagnostics. The level of risk depends on the specific tool.

The Bottom Line

OntarioMD’s enhanced training is a step in the right direction, but it’s not a complete solution. As AI becomes more embedded in healthcare, patients will need to remain informed and proactive. The good news is that privacy awareness is growing—both among clinicians and the public.

If you’re unsure about how your health data is being used, don’t hesitate to ask. A reputable healthcare provider should be able to explain their AI practices clearly. And if they can’t, that’s a red flag worth paying attention to.

Sources

  • OntarioMD Enhances Privacy and Security Training Amid Growing Clinician Use of AI – Yahoo Finance, June 11, 2026.