"We are not trying to replace hospitals," Liu added. "But we are exploring how parts of medical reasoning and routine care could be standardized and extended through AI."

Yet as the technology advances, so do the questions surrounding it.

The rapid expansion of AI healthcare tools has sparked debate over accuracy, accountability, and the evolving role of physicians.

While platforms emphasize that AI is designed to assist rather than replace doctors, some experts warn that overreliance on automated systems could introduce new risks, particularly in complex or ambiguous cases.

"Medicine is full of uncertainty," said Mo Kai, a Beijing-based health policy expert. "When cases fall outside standard patterns, human judgment becomes critical, and that's where current AI systems still struggle."

There are also concerns about accessibility. While digital tools can extend care to underserved populations, they may be less effective for elderly users or those unfamiliar with smartphones.

"Technology can expand access," Liu said, "but ensuring that it remains usable and trustworthy for all populations is just as important as improving its intelligence."

Some physicians say such tools are already changing how they work.

Zhang Ling, a cardiologist at China-Japan Friendship Hospital, uses Ant A-Fu's desktop platform to manage online consultations and review patient histories.

"The AI assistant organizes patient information before I even begin the consultation," Zhang said."It identifies potential warning signs and highlights urgent cases."

That kind of triage can be valuable in China's busiest hospitals, where doctors often see dozens of patients each day.

"It doesn't replace clinical judgment," Zhang added. "But it can make the system much more efficient."

Still, adoption has not been without resistance, particularly from within hospitals. Some administrators and clinicians remain cautious about integrating large AI models into clinical workflows, citing concerns over reliability and professional risk.

"Medicine is not just pattern recognition, but involves judgment, responsibility, and uncertainty," said a hospital administrator who asked not to be named.

"If an AI system produces an incorrect recommendation, even rarely, the consequences in a clinical setting can be serious. That's where many institutions remain hesitant."

Concerns over data governance present an additional barrier. While technology companies stress that patient information is protected, some hospitals are reluctant to share internal data with external platforms, fearing loss of control or unintended exposure.

"From the hospital's perspective, data is one of its most sensitive assets," the administrator said.

"Even if companies claim the data won't be used beyond specific applications, it sometimes sounds not trustworthy enough. Trust takes time to build."

Developers say such concerns are understandable, but, in many cases, misplaced. According to Shen, the Ant Health communication head, most platforms operate under strict data isolation protocols, with patient information encrypted and stored within controlled environments.

Data used for AI-assisted services is typically not fed back into foundational model training, and these safeguards are often written into formal agreements with partner institutions.

"We don't use hospital data to train base models, and that is clearly specified in our contracts," Shen said. "There are also strict rules governing data storage, access permissions, and system architecture."

With AI medicine remaining a developing field, experts have said that algorithms must cope with more diverse medical conditions and the digital barriers faced by users. Ensuring accuracy and maintaining public trust will remain critical challenges.

Ant Health says it is already working on new features, including chronic-disease management tools. A senior-friendly interface with dialect support for elderly users launched in February.

For patients like Qian in Hubei, the technology is already reshaping everyday healthcare. She now checks her blood pressure regularly and consults the app whenever she has questions. If necessary, it can connect her directly to a physician online. "It makes me feel less alone dealing with my health," she said.