UK Study Finds 15% Use AI Chatbots for Health Advice as NHS Waits Push Some Away
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · May 13
UK Study Finds 15% Use AI Chatbots for Health Advice as NHS Waits Push Some Away
6 articles · Updated · The Guardian · May 13
A survey of more than 2,000 people found 15% had used AI chatbots for health advice instead of seeing a GP, in what King's College London researchers said is the first measure of that behavior.
One in four of those users said long NHS waiting lists drove them to chatbots, suggesting access pressures are helping create what the study's lead author called an unregulated AI healthcare system alongside the NHS.
About 20% of chatbot users said the tools did not encourage them to seek professional help, and a similar share said AI advice led them to skip a consultation altogether.
Public opinion on AI in NHS clinical decision-making was split, with 37% in favor and 38% against; opposition was higher among 18-24 year-olds than among people 65 and over.
The Royal College of General Practitioners said it would be highly concerning if patients were replacing doctors with AI, warning chatbots can miss context, give misleading advice and cannot safely replicate clinical judgment.
With millions on NHS waiting lists, is AI a dangerous health shortcut or a necessary tool for survival?
As AI becomes a 'digital doctor,' who is legally responsible when its confident advice proves fatally wrong?
The Surge of AI Health Advice in the UK: Trends, Dangers, and the Push for Safer Regulation
Overview
This report explores the growing use of AI for health advice among UK adults, highlighting that both the public and NHS staff are more comfortable with AI in administrative roles than in direct patient care. Experts stress the need for strong national regulations and medical guidelines to ensure AI is used safely and effectively in healthcare. The cautious approach reflects concerns about patient safety and the importance of managing risks while maximizing AI’s benefits. Overall, the report emphasizes that robust frameworks are essential for aligning AI development with the highest standards of patient care and public trust.