Background: Artificial intelligence (AI) technologies have transformed medical education. Although the use of AI tools is widespread among medical students globally, the formal incorporation of AI into medical curricula remains in its early stages, particularly in resource-constrained settings. This study aimed to assess current utilization patterns, perceptions, and readiness among medical students at the University of Anbar regarding the integration of AI technologies into the medical curriculum, and to identify the principal facilitators and barriers to such integration.
Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among medical students at the University of Anbar, Iraq, between April and September 2025. A validated, structured questionnaire comprising 23 items was used to evaluate utilization patterns, educational applications, perceptions, and barriers to integrating AI technologies into the medical curriculum.
Results: Of 346 medical students surveyed, 316 (91.3%) reported using AI technologies, with ChatGPT employed by 86.4% of users. The most frequent applications were studying and concept review (88.3%) and research activities (63.6%). Overall, 65.0% of respondents endorsed the integration of AI into the medical curriculum, and 72.8% affirmed its educational value. The principal barriers identified were technical (47.7%), economic (35.8%), and academic (34.1%). Only 28.3% of students reported faculty encouragement to use AI in medical education.
Conclusion: AI adoption among medical students at the University of Anbar is high and predominantly accompanied by favorable attitudes toward curricular integration. Nevertheless, substantial technical, economic, and institutional barriers persist, indicating that a multilevel implementation strategy is required for sustainable integration.