AI is becoming part of UK adults' health information journey

Key findings: 

• 8% of UK adults now say they first turn to standalone artificial intelligence (AI) tools such as ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude etc. for health information, advice or guidance – rising to 13% of Millennials. 
• Among UK adults who have used AI for health-related activities in the last three months, the most common uses are researching a health condition (16%) and understanding symptoms (16%). 
• 37% of UK adults say AI's biggest advantage for health information is that it is available at any time.

Artificial intelligence is becoming part of UK adults' health information journey. While search engines and dedicated health websites remain dominant starting points, new YouGov Surveys data suggests standalone AI tools such as ChatGPT, Gemini and Claude are emerging as another source of information and advice.

The survey, which asked respondents what actions they’ve taken in the last three months. explores where AI fits into that journey, what UK adults are using it for, and the advantages they believe it offers when seeking health information or advice.

Insight #1: While search remains the leading first stop, AI is emerging as a health information source for UK adults

Search engines are the first port of call for health information, with 26% of UK adults saying they turn to engines like Google or Bing first. Health websites such as the NHS, WebMD or Mayo Clinic follow at 23%, while 17% first seek information from a healthcare professional.

Standalone AI tools see 8% of UK adults saying they first turn to tools such as ChatGPT, Gemini or Claude for health information, advice or guidance. That puts AI on par with asking friends or family (8%) as an initial source of information.

Generational differences suggest AI adoption is being driven by younger adults. Millennials are the most likely to turn to AI first (13%), followed by Gen Z (10%) and Gen X (9%). Among Baby Boomers, just 3% say AI is their first stop for health information.

Insight #2: UK adults are turning to AI primarily to better understand health conditions and symptoms

Among UK adults who have used AI tools such as ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude etc. for health-related activities in the past three months, researching a health condition (16%) and understanding symptoms (16%) are the most common uses.

Beyond these two leading activities, around one in 10 have used AI to decide whether they needed professional medical advice (9%), find lifestyle advice (9%), understand nutrition and diet (9%) or understand medication side effects (9%).

Younger adults are more likely to use AI across almost every health-related activity. Millennials are the most likely to use AI to research a health condition (19%) and understand symptoms (20%), while Gen Z leads in using AI for lifestyle advice (16%), nutrition and diet (14%) and mental wellbeing topics (9%). In contrast, Baby Boomers consistently report the lowest levels of AI use across the activities measured, with just 3% using AI for lifestyle advice, 3% for nutrition and diet, and 2% for mental wellbeing topics.

Insight #3: Being available at any time is AI's biggest perceived advantage for health information or advice

When asked about the advantages of standalone AI tools for health information, the most common response among UK adults is that they are available at any time (37%).

Other perceived benefits include being free or low cost (28%), faster than other sources (23%), allowing users to explore health topics privately (22%), making it easier to ask follow-up questions (21%) and allowing people to ask questions without feeling judged (21%).

At the same time, scepticism remains widespread. Almost four in 10 UK adults (39%) say they do not think standalone AI tools offer any advantages when seeking health information or advice.

Methodology:

YouGov Surveys: Serviced provides quick survey results from nationally representative or targeted audiences in multiple markets. This study was conducted online on 13th - 14th July 2026, with a nationally representative sample of 2,100 UK adults (aged 18+ years) in the UK, using a questionnaire designed by YouGov. Data figures have been weighted by age, gender, education, region and social grade to be representative of all adults in the UK (18 years or older) and reflect the latest ONS population estimates.

Image credit: Getty Images