Fresh concerns have emerged about artificial intelligence listening in on medical appointments, with warnings that patient privacy is not being adequately protected.

AI has become like an assistant to doctors, listening to consultations and writing detailed medical notes in seconds.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: AI scribes in GP clinics spark privacy concerns

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Physicians say it allows them to spend more time with patients and less on paperwork, and is not replacing clinical judgement.

Australian Medical Association (AMA) public health chair Dr Michael Bonning said it provided an opportunity to be “much more present, be much more thoughtful”.

But a new report warns the technology is moving too fast, with more than half of GPs now using it.

“There are questions around patients’ rights to their data and their privacy while they’re discussing the most private information we have,” Digital Rights Watch deputy chair Tom Sulston told 7NEWS.

The report raises concerns about accuracy and found one patient was refused an appointment after declining AI.

“This is not acceptable. We should not have to trade off our health care for the privacy of our health information,” Sulston said.

The AMA says while doctors are not writing anymore, they still have the final say.

“The author of any medical note is the doctor,” Bonning said.

“We always have to check and make sure that what goes into the record is correct.”

Critics are not calling for AI scribes to be banned but want stronger regulation and clearer protections for patients without being denied medical care.

Doctors agree more rules are needed to protect patient trust.