Millions of UK adults are asking AI for health advice, with new YouGov data showing 8 per cent turn to tools such as ChatGPT first.
The findings suggest standalone artificial intelligence tools, including ChatGPT, Gemini and Claude, are becoming part of the health information journey for some adults, although search engines and health websites remain the main starting points.
The YouGov survey found that 26 per cent of UK adults first turn to search engines such as Google or Bing for health information, advice or guidance.
Health websites, including the NHS, WebMD or Mayo Clinic, were the first stop for 23 per cent, while 17 per cent said they first seek information from a healthcare professional.
Standalone AI tools were the first choice for 8 per cent of UK adults, the same proportion who said they would first ask friends or family.
Use was higher among younger adults, with 13 per cent of Millennials saying they first turn to AI tools for health information, followed by 10 per cent of Gen Z and 9 per cent of Gen X.
Among Baby Boomers, 3 per cent said standalone AI tools were their first source of health information.
Among UK adults who had used AI tools for health-related activities in the previous three months, researching a health condition and understanding symptoms were the most common uses, both at 16 per cent.
Around one in 10 had used AI to decide whether they needed professional medical advice, find lifestyle advice, understand nutrition and diet, or understand medication side effects, each at 9 per cent.
Younger adults were more likely to report using AI across most health-related activities.
Millennials were the most likely to use AI to research a health condition, at 19 per cent, and to understand symptoms, at 20 per cent.
Gen Z respondents were more likely than other groups to use AI for lifestyle advice, at 16 per cent, nutrition and diet, at 14 per cent, and mental wellbeing topics, at 9 per cent.
Baby Boomers reported the lowest levels of AI use across the activities measured, including 3 per cent for lifestyle advice, 3 per cent for nutrition and diet, and 2 per cent for mental wellbeing topics.
The survey also asked adults what they see as the main advantages of standalone AI tools for health information.
The most common answer was being available at any time, cited by 37 per cent of UK adults.
Other perceived advantages included being free or low cost, at 28 per cent, being faster than other sources, at 23 per cent, and allowing people to explore health topics privately, at 22 per cent.
A further 21 per cent said AI tools make it easier to ask follow-up questions, while the same proportion said they allow people to ask questions without feeling judged.
However, scepticism remains widespread, with 39 per cent of UK adults saying they do not think standalone AI tools offer any advantages when seeking health information or advice.
The study was conducted online by YouGov Surveys between 13 and 14 July 2026, using a questionnaire designed by YouGov.
It surveyed a nationally representative sample of 2,100 UK adults aged 18 and over.
Figures were weighted by age, gender, education, region and social grade to be representative of UK adults, using the latest ONS population estimates.
Weighting means responses are adjusted so the sample better reflects the wider population.
