AI health advice leads to serious risks for many users, new data reveals
A growing number of people are turning to AI for health advice, but the results are raising concerns. New data shows that two-thirds of consumers have tried using generative AI chatbots for medical queries. Yet, many report experiencing serious issues after following the advice given. Symptom-checking is the most common use of AI in health, with over 71% of users asking chatbots about their symptoms. While 65% of people check the sources behind AI responses, the risks remain high. More than 40% of those who discussed mental health with AI faced serious problems afterwards.
Around one in four users—25.18%—have suffered a 'serious problem' after acting on AI health recommendations. Despite this, 30% of people say they would trust an AI over a human doctor for personal medical advice. Even in emergencies, 26.65% would consider relying on AI for guidance. Self-reported outcomes suggest that, so far, using AI for health purposes has caused more harm than good. The data highlights a gap between trust in technology and the real-world consequences of its advice.
The findings reveal a clear trend: AI is becoming a go-to source for health queries, but the outcomes are often problematic. With symptom-checking leading the way, many users still face risks despite verifying sources. The numbers suggest a need for caution when using AI for medical decisions.
