Artificial intelligence is on the rise - finding its place in a range of sectors and industries from education and finance, to entertainment and healthcare.

While its role is becoming more prominent, many have raised concerns over whether it could replace human beings. Could our films be made by robots? Could our teachers be swapped out for chatbots? And what about our doctors and pharmacists?

Peter Goldschmidt, CEO of pharmaceutical company STADA, said that AI can give you information but "not competent judgement". However, he added that you "cannot believe the speed of the progress" made in the sector.

The expert said eventually he believes AI will be able to increase the time doctors have for patients, as they will have to spend less time on notes or consultation summaries. Goldschmidt touched upon the future of the technology in healthcare - saying that while it may not be ready yet, he believed it would be "the entry into individualisation".

Goldschmidt said in the STADA Health Report 2025, which looked into health trends, that "balancing innovation and personal care with empathy" will be key moving forward. He added: "New technologies bring a mix of hope and hesitation. Although it will enrich research access, diagnoses and treatment, it is fair to say that Europeans still trust a familiar face more than any machine."

The report found that 39% of people across the UK and Europe would already consider an AI GP, while another 25% said they would consider it in the future. The study surveyed 27,000 respondents from 22 countries, aged 18 to 99.

The main reasons for this were accessibility and availability, convenience, and objectivity - with some people feeling that an AI bot would be more neutral than a human.

However, Brits had some reservations towards the technology - and 24% expressed unease when it came to AI storing personal data.

Meanwhile 61% of the Brits surveyed said that they had doubts over AI's accuracy, and 47% believed that medical and psychological consultations require face-to-face interactions.

Younger generations are actually among the least likely to consider AI for medical consultations with only 38% of 18-24-year-olds open to the idea. Those between the ages of 25 and 44 are the most open to AI being used in GP consultations, at 53%.

Volker Sydow, interim general manager for STADA Thornton & Ross, said: "It is particularly surprising to see younger generations, who are much more tech fluent, being the most apprehensive about AI. There is a perception that due to increased understanding and fluency around technology that these 'digital natives' would be champions for AI adoption."

He added: "Concerns around data privacy and storage are high across the board, with more needing to be done to educate the population about AI systems and safeguards that should be hardwired into our healthcare systems."

The government announced improvements to the NHS this week, which would involve "embracing the latest technology across the health service". This could include things like "AI-driven virtual support as a first resource", the Department of Health and Social Care explained.

AI already has a role in the UK's healthcare system. NHS English said that it was being piloted for tasks such as faster and more accurate diagnosis, reduction of errors caused by human fatigue, to assist with repetitive tasks, and decrease costs.

Earlier this month, the UK revealed that it had become the first country in the world to join a global network of health regulators focused on the safe, effective use of the technology in the health sector. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) said that this will help support earlier diagnosis, cut NHS waiting times, and back growth.

The Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said earlier this year that it had been "harnessing the power of artificial intelligence to address health security challenges". It explained that it had been using AI to understand patient experiences, detect food-borne illness outbreaks, and make public health guidance more consistent.

Dr Nick Watkins, chief data scientist at UKHSA, said: "As we continue to develop and refine these systems, we maintain a careful balance between embracing innovation and ensuring robust validation of AI outputs."