Many people search online when they have a health question — like a sore knee, a rash or a new medication. In the past, that usually meant reading through many web pages. Today, some people use A.I. chat tools, like ChatGPT or Microsoft Copilot, to get quick answers. Instead of showing many links, these tools give one clear answer in plain language. You can even ask follow-up questions, almost like a conversation. For example, you could ask:

• “What are common causes of knee pain?”
• “What questions should I ask my doctor about it?”

That can feel fast and convenient. In fact, a recent national survey found that about 1 in 3 adults now use A.I. tools to look up health information.* Still, these tools are not perfect. It’s important to know how to use them safely.

So fast and easy, in fact, that in a recent national survey, 1 in 3 adults (32 percent) said they use A.I. chatbots to look up advice about their physical and mental health. The survey was done by the Kaiser Family Foundation and published in March 2026.*

Where does A.I. get its information?

A.I. tools learn from large amounts of text found online — such as books, articles and websites. They look for patterns in language so they can explain things clearly. But A.I. does not think like a doctor. It does not know your health history, medications or personal needs. That’s why A.I. answers should be a starting point, not a final answer.

Common A.I. chat tools include:

• ChatGPT
• Google Gemini
• Microsoft Copilot
• Claude
• Perplexity AI

Used the right way, A.I. can be a helpful tool in your health care toolkit.

What A.I. can help you do

Think of A.I. as a helper, not a health expert. It can help you get organized and feel more prepared for a health care visit. Here’s how.

1. Get ready for provider visits

Ever leave a health care appointment and realize you forgot to ask something?

A.I. can help you:

• Organize your symptoms
• Put your thoughts in order
• Think of questions to ask your provider

Put it into practice:  If you’re worried about frequent headaches, you could type in, “I’m seeing my doctor about frequent headaches. What should I share?”

A.I. may suggest tracking when the headaches happen, how long they last, and what makes them better or worse — so you walk into your visit ready with clear information. 

2. Understand test results and medical terms

Medical words can be confusing. A.I. can help:

• Explain test results in simple terms
• Define words you don’t recognize
• Summarize long reports

Put it into practice: You get a message in your secure member website. Your report says, “cholesterol is elevated.” 

A.I. can explain what cholesterol is and why it matters. It can also explain terms like “LDL” and “HDL.”

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3. Figure out where to go for care

Not sure if something is urgent? A.I. can give general guidance, such as:

• When urgent care may help
• When you should call your primary care provider (PCP)
• When something could be an emergency

Put it into practice: You might ask, “I have a sore throat and mild fever. Where should I go for care?”

A.I. may suggest starting with your PCP or a walk-in clinic.

Important: If you have chest pain, trouble breathing or severe symptoms, do not use A.I. Call 911 or go to the emergency room right away.

4. Learn about everyday health topics

A.I. can help with many general health questions about:

• Healthy eating
• Exercise
• Sleep
• Common conditions

Put it into practice:  Want simple, natural ways to help lower your blood pressure?

A.I. can offer quick, helpful tips when you ask everyday questions, like:

• “Can you suggest a low-salt dinner I could make tonight?”
• “What easy snacks are better for my blood pressure?”
• “What kinds of exercise are safe and helpful?”
• “Does getting better sleep help my blood pressure?”

Quick resource guide

A.I. tools you can explore

• ChatGPT (OpenAI)
• Google Gemini
• Microsoft Copilot
• Claude (Anthropic)
• Perplexity AI

Use them to:

• Look up general health topics
• Summarize information
• Get ready for health care visits

Where A.I. falls short

A.I. can be helpful. But it has limits — and may suggest something that’s not right for you.

1. A.I. doesn’t know you

A.I. doesn’t have your full medical history. And it doesn’t know your medications or past conditions.

For example, A.I. may suggest high-fiber foods like beans and whole grains. But it doesn’t know if you have a condition that affects what you can eat.

That’s why it’s important to talk to a provider before making big changes. 

The same is true before starting a new exercise plan or trying vitamins and supplements.

2. A.I. can be wrong

Sometimes A.I. gives outdated or incomplete answers. And sometimes it sounds very sure — even when it is not correct.

A 2026 BMJ Open study found that A.I. chatbots often gave health answers that were incorrect or misleading, even when they sounded confident.*

For example, if you ask about a medication, it may give general information. But it can miss important updates or safety warnings that a pharmacist or doctor would catch.

3. A.I. cannot give personal medical advice

This is important. A.I. should not:

• Diagnose a condition
• Tell you which treatment to choose
• Replace your provider’s advice

Looking for food ideas to keep your blood sugar steady? A.I. is a great place to turn for a diabetes-friendly recipe. For example, when you're looking for food ideas to keep your blood sugar steady.

It's always best to work with a certified diabetes educator or a registered dietitian who understands your needs.

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How to use A.I. safely for health information

Think of A.I. like a car’s GPS. It can point you in the right direction, but you wouldn’t drive into a lake just because the GPS told you to. The same idea applies to A.I. — it’s helpful, but it shouldn’t replace common sense or medical advice.

A.I. can help you get general health information. After that, it’s important to talk with your doctor or health care provider about what you find. They know your health history and can help you decide what’s right for you.

Here are a few simple tips for using A.I. with confidence:

• Use A.I. for general information, not medical decisions
• Double‑check important details with your provider or pharmacist
• Bring A.I. notes or questions to your appointment
• If something feels serious or urgent, get care right away

Be careful about what you share with A.I.

When using A.I., avoid typing in personal details like your health history, Social Security number, insurance ID or financial information.

Why this matters

An A.I. tool may save your information to use later to improve the system. This means the tool may store or review your personal details. Your health and financial information is private. Sharing it in the wrong place could expose such info to misuse.

Put it into practice: For example, it’s okay to ask A.I., “What are common side effects of this medication?” But don’t enter your full medical history, Social Security number, or insurance details.

A simple rule to remember

A.I. can be a helpful assistant. Your health care provider is the expert.

Think of A.I. as a first step — not the final answer. It can help you organize your thoughts before an appointment, better understand your treatment plan, and make sense of health information you read. It may also help you come up with questions so you feel more prepared.

But A.I. should not replace your doctor or provider. It is a tool — not a medical professional. The best care still comes from a trusted health care provider who knows you and your health needs.

*FOR A.I. SURVEY RESULTS: Kaiser Family Foundation. KFF Tracking Poll on Health Information and Trust: Use of AI For Health Information and Advice. Accessed April 22, 2026.

*FOR A.I. MEDICAL ACCURACY INFORMATION: BMJ Open. Generative artificial intelligence-driven chatbots and medical misinformation: an accuracy, referencing and readability audit. Accessed April 22, 2026.

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