The use of AI in UK healthcare

AI is creating a shift in how people access health care, yet public attitudes to the technology remain divided. The research finds that one in seven of the public have used AI chatbots for health advice instead of contacting a GP or other NHS service, and 10% say they have used AI for mental health therapy or wellbeing support instead of seeing a trained professional. However, 20% of those who sought health advice from AI say the technology did not encourage them to seek a professional opinion – and a similar proportion (21%) report having decided against seeking professional health care advice because of something an AI chatbot said.