One-Third of U.S. Adults Have Used AI Chatbots for Health, Survey Shows
The survey finds many users turn to chatbots for fast, low-cost medical information while the public views them as more likely to harm than help when used for loneliness or depression.
Overview
- About 34% of U.S. adults report ever using an AI chatbot for at least one health or medical reason, according to the national survey.
- People use chatbots mainly for speed and cost: 28% to get health information quickly, 25% to figure out causes of symptoms, and 22% because the advice is low-cost or free.
- Most chatbot health users say the information is useful, with about 47% calling it extremely or very helpful and 48% calling it somewhat helpful.
- Users are split on privacy: 29% are very or extremely comfortable sharing personal health details with a chatbot, 42% are somewhat comfortable, and 26% are not comfortable.
- Attitudes vary by group, with higher use among Asian Americans, adults under 50, college graduates and higher earners, younger adults especially pessimistic about chatbots for emotional support, and older adults often unsure; earlier youth-focused reports, state rules and platform safeguards frame the policy and research response to these trends.