One in seven UK adults use AI chatbots instead of seeing their GP, study finds
Fifteen percent of people in the UK are consulting AI chatbots for health advice rather than visiting their doctor, according to a poll of more than 2,000 people analysed by researchers at King's College London. Among those using chatbots, one in four cited long NHS waiting lists as their reason.
The research marks the first time the scale of this behaviour has been quantified. It reveals a concerning gap: a fifth of chatbot users said the technology did not encourage them to seek professional medical advice, while a similar proportion decided against booking a doctor's appointment based on what an AI tool told them.
Risks of unregulated advice
The study highlights safety concerns. Previous research has found that AI systems, including Google AI Overviews, can contain false and misleading health information.
Prof Graham Lord, the lead author, said the trend was creating "an unregulated AI healthcare system alongside the NHS." He added that while AI offers opportunities, the technology is outpacing oversight. "When something goes wrong with AI, responsibility is often placed on clinicians, even where they have limited control over how AI tools are introduced," he said.
Lord called for greater transparency about what AI tools do, how safe they are, and how problems are handled.
Medical professionals express concern
Prof Victoria Tzortziou Brown, president of the Royal College of General Practitioners, said it would be "highly concerning" if patients were using AI instead of seeing a doctor. She noted that AI cannot examine patients, understand full medical histories, spot subtle symptoms, or make safe clinical judgments.
"Technology has a vital role to play in healthcare, but it must not become a substitute for investing in general practice or ensuring patients can access safe, timely care from a trained professional," she said. She advised patients to use trusted sources like NHS.uk and contact a healthcare professional if symptoms persist or worsen.
Public opinion split on clinical use
Respondents were divided on whether AI should help doctors make clinical decisions. Thirty-seven percent supported it, while 38 percent opposed it. Age differences emerged: 49 percent of those aged 18 to 24 opposed clinical AI use, compared with 36 percent of those aged 65 and over.
For healthcare professionals managing patient expectations and understanding how AI is already shaping patient behaviour, learning about AI for Healthcare and ChatGPT can help you address these conversations with confidence.
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