A new survey finds that a growing number of Americans are turning to AI for health advice—and sometimes using it instead of seeing a doctor.
About 1 in 4 adults—roughly 66 million people—say they’ve used AI tools or chatbots for medical or mental health questions. Most people use AI as a supplement, looking things up before or after a doctor’s visit. The reasons are pretty straightforward: it’s fast, easy, and free. Plus, AI doesn’t put you on hold, judge your Googling history, or tell you to “schedule another appointment.”
But here’s where things get a little concerning. Around 14% of users say they skipped seeing a doctor altogether after getting advice from AI. That adds up to about 14 million people deciding a chatbot had the final word on their health.
Many people turn to AI because traditional healthcare isn’t always easy to access. Some can’t afford care, others can’t get an appointment anytime soon, and a surprising number admit they’re just embarrassed to talk to a real person. (If you’ve ever hesitated before describing a weird symptom out loud, you get it.) Asking a robot can feel safer than explaining your rash to a stranger in a white coat.
At the same time, trust in AI is far from rock solid. Only a small percentage of users say they fully trust AI-generated medical advice, and some report receiving guidance that felt unsafe or just plain wrong. In other words, people may like the convenience—but they’re still side‑eyeing the source.
AI can be a helpful starting point for basic questions, but it’s not a replacement for professional medical care. When it comes to your health, a chatbot might be a useful tool—but it probably shouldn’t be the one making the final call.
