Objective: Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly being integrated into clinical practice, yet physician readiness to adopt these tools remains unclear. This study assessed the knowledge, attitudes, and adoption readiness of pediatricians regarding AI in clinical care.

Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among 238 pediatricians from private practice, teaching institutions, and government hospitals across India. The questionnaire assessed AI knowledge, confidence in using AI tools, perceptions of AI’s future role, and willingness to adopt AI. Knowledge was scored on a 10-point scale and categorized into low (0–3), moderate (4–6), and high (7–10). Associations between key variables were evaluated using chi-square tests, and predictors of AI knowledge were analyzed using multinomial logistic regression.

Results: The mean AI knowledge score was low (3.9 ± 2.4). Overall, 40.8% of respondents demonstrated low AI knowledge. Male respondents and those working in teaching institutions had significantly higher odds of greater AI knowledge (p < 0.01). Despite limited knowledge, 91.5% of pediatricians expressed willingness to adopt AI tools, most commonly conditional on clinical validation (71.8%). Confidence in using AI and perceiving AI as a supportive clinical tool were the strongest predictors of willingness to adopt (p < 0.01). Major concerns included ethical and regulatory issues (65.5%), data privacy (63.4%), and clinical validity (61.3%).

Conclusions: Indian pediatricians demonstrate strong interest in adopting AI despite limited baseline knowledge. Expanding practical AI training and establishing clear ethical and regulatory frameworks will be essential for safe integration of AI into pediatric clinical practice.