About a third of US adults say they use AI chatbots for health information, according to a new survey.
The report comes as the use of AI in general grows, alongside concerns among doctors and other healthcare professionals about the quality of health information people are gathering.
An American Medical Association survey of US physicians published last week showed doctors are worried about patients using AI to “interpret complicated results without the assistance of a physician”.
The KFF tracking poll on health information and trust found that most US adults who turned to AI for health information said they were looking for quick and immediate advice.
Around 29 per cent had sought information related to their physical health and about 16 per cent had sought information related to their mental health.
The survey found people are about as likely to use AI as social media to find health information.
Younger adults were more likely to rely on AI for health information, with those under 30 three times as likely as adults aged 50 and older to use it for mental health information, at 28 per cent compared with 8 per cent.
About 65 per cent of those who consulted AI for health information said a major reason was to get quick or immediate information or support.
Meanwhile, 41 per cent said they wanted to look up information before deciding to see a healthcare provider.
In addition, US adults are turning to AI to help them grapple with the rising cost of healthcare.
About 19 per cent said not being able to afford the cost of seeing a health professional was a major reason for turning to AI, while 18 per cent cited not having a regular doctor or not being able to get an appointment.
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