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Where people draw the line on AI in healthcare

May 29, 2026 · n = 1,000 · MoE ±3.3%Source report ↗

Core finding

AI health tools are part of the landscape, but the strongest signal in this cluster is caution around high-stakes care.

Adults report limited recent use, low mental-health disclosure to AI tools, and little willingness to pay for a researcher-developed AI nutrition chatbot.

Human providers still hold the boundary

Human-provider preference is clearest around medication decisions, with 62.9% saying they would only trust a human provider to adjust medicines.

Majorities also reserved medication concerns, emotional support, and medicine necessity decisions for human providers.

Topline

62.9% would only trust a human provider to adjust medicines.

For which of these tasks would you only trust a human healthcare provider versus an AI agent?

Adjusting your medicines
62.9%
Addressing your concerns about your medicines
57.5%
Emotional support
54.8%
Telling you whether your medicine is necessary
53.3%
Interpreting your lab data, medication or health record information
50.9%
Providing dietary advice
31.8%
None of the above
13.4%
Other
4.7%

n = 1,000 · May 1–4, 2026 · MoE ±3.3%

Most adults would only trust a human healthcare provider for adjusting medicines, emotional support, and medication concerns.
Source report · SBM Omnibus Survey #2026-049 ↗

Recent use remains limited

A 55.7% majority said they had not used AI-based tools for health in the past three months.

Another 84.4% said they had not disclosed mental health concerns to AI tools such as ChatGPT, and 75.6% said they would not pay for an AI nutrition chatbot developed by researchers.

Topline

55.7% reported no recent AI-based health-tool use.

In the past 3 months, what have you used AI-based tools (e.g., ChatGPT) for related to your health?

None of the above
55.7%
Understanding a health condition, symptom, or diagnosis
27.0%
Learning about medications or treatments
19.8%
Diet, nutrition, or meal planning
15.4%
Physical activity or lifestyle improvement
12.5%
Preparing for or following up on a medical visit
11.6%
Mental health or emotional support
10.1%
Other
3.8%

n = 1,000 · May 1–4, 2026 · MoE ±3.3%

A majority reported no AI-based health-tool use in the past three months, while about one-quarter used AI to understand a condition, symptom, or diagnosis.
Source report · SBM Omnibus Survey #2026-049 ↗

Topline

75.6% would not pay for an AI nutrition chatbot.

What is the maximum you would pay monthly for an artificial intelligence (AI) nutrition chatbot developed by researchers?

$0 / I would not pay for this
75.6%
Up to $5
10.1%
$5 to $10
8.2%
$10 to $20
4.4%
$20 to $30
1.5%
More than $30
0.3%

n = 1,000 · May 1–4, 2026 · MoE ±3.3%

Three-quarters said they would not pay for an AI nutrition chatbot developed by researchers.
Source report · SBM Omnibus Survey #2026-049 ↗

Views of AI consciousness add context

Views on whether large language models have consciousness or sentience are split across rejection, future possibility, current belief, and uncertainty.

Methodology

Full methodology →
ModeVerasight panel recruited via random address-based sampling, random person-to-person text messaging, and dynamic online targeting
PopulationUS adults age 18+
Field datesMay 1–4, 2026
Base (unweighted)1,000
Margin of error±3.3%
Module2
SponsorVerasight
Weight variableweight
Weighting targetsage, race/ethnicity, sex, income, education, region, metropolitan status

Sources

  1. 01

    For which of these tasks would you only trust a human healthcare provider versus an AI agent?

    Most adults would only trust a human healthcare provider for adjusting medicines, emotional support, and medication concerns.

    reports.verasight.io/r/sbm-2026
  2. 02

    In the past 3 months, what have you used AI-based tools (e.g., ChatGPT) for related to your health?

    A majority reported no AI-based health-tool use in the past three months, while about one-quarter used AI to understand a condition, symptom, or diagnosis.

    reports.verasight.io/r/sbm-2026
  3. 03

    Have you ever disclosed your mental health concerns to any AI tools, such as ChatGPT?

    More than eight-in-ten adults said they have not disclosed mental health concerns to AI tools such as ChatGPT.

    reports.verasight.io/r/sbm-2026
  4. 04

    What is the maximum you would pay monthly for an artificial intelligence (AI) nutrition chatbot developed by researchers?

    Three-quarters said they would not pay for an AI nutrition chatbot developed by researchers.

    reports.verasight.io/r/sbm-2026
  5. 05

    Do you believe large language models (i.e., ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini) have any level of consciousness or sentience?

    Views on large language model consciousness are split across rejection, future possibility, current belief, and uncertainty.

    reports.verasight.io/r/sbm-2026

Cite this topic

SBM Omnibus Survey #2026-049, fielded May 1-4, 2026, N=1,000 US adults age 18+, +/- 3.3%.

https://reports.verasight.io/r/sbm-2026#q-B.8