Public trust in AI in health care is slipping, survey finds

Public comfort with AI in health care has fallen, according to a new survey from Ohio State Wexner Medical Center.

The national poll of 1,007 U.S. adults found that 42% are open to AI being used as part of their care, down from 52% in 2024. The share saying AI can make some health processes more efficient also slipped, from 64% to 55%.

At the same time, the survey suggests AI is already part of many people’s health decisions. Ohio State said 51% of adults have used AI to make an important health decision without consulting a medical professional, and 62% said they use AI to help understand symptoms before deciding whether to seek care.

The release, fielded by SSRS between January 16 and January 20, 2026, points to a split picture: greater use of consumer AI tools, but less comfort with the idea of AI being used directly in clinical care.

Ohio State’s chief health informatics officer said the findings show people may be using AI as a first step for information, but still want human judgment for medical decisions.

The survey was released on April 7, 2026, and was also syndicated by EurekAlert and other outlets.