In new commentary, the Cato Institute’s Jennifer Huddleston and Dr. Jeffrey A. Singer argue that the growing use of AI chatbots for health questions could improve access to medical information and give patients greater control over their healthcare.

New Pew Research Center data show that 34% of Americans use AI chatbots for at least one health or medical purpose, including understanding symptoms, treatments, diagnoses, and lab results. Nearly all users say the information they receive is at least somewhat helpful.

Huddleston and Dr. Singer argue that AI can help fill gaps for patients who lack the time or resources to see a doctor for every health question, reduce longstanding information asymmetries between patients and physicians, and make it easier to seek information about sensitive issues. They caution, however, that efforts to apply traditional physician-licensing rules or require physician oversight of AI could restrict access to those benefits just as the technology is becoming more capable.

You can read their full commentary here. If you’d like to speak with Dr. Singer about AI in healthcare, patient access, medical licensing, or the policy questions raised by the growing use of health chatbots, I’m happy to connect you.

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