A growing number of people in the United Kingdom are using artificial intelligence chatbots instead of visiting doctors for medical advice, raising fresh concerns among healthcare experts about patient safety, misinformation and mounting pressure on NHS services.
A new study conducted by researchers at King’s College London found that one in seven people in the UK now rely on AI-powered chatbots for health guidance rather than consulting a GP or healthcare professional.
The research, based on responses from more than 2,000 people across Britain, highlights how rapidly artificial intelligence is reshaping the way the public seeks healthcare information. It also reveals growing frustration with NHS waiting times and increasing public dependence on digital tools for medical support.
Researchers warned that while AI offers speed and convenience, the technology also carries significant risks when used without proper medical oversight or regulation.
AI Chatbots Becoming Alternative to GP Visits
According to the study, around 15% of respondents said they had used AI chatbots to seek health advice instead of making an appointment with a doctor.
Among those using the technology, one in four said long NHS waiting lists played a major role in their decision to turn to artificial intelligence rather than traditional healthcare services.
The findings reflect wider concerns across Britain about pressure on the NHS, where patients in many regions continue facing delays for GP appointments, diagnostic tests and specialist treatment.
The growing popularity of AI tools such as chatbots, symptom checkers and automated health assistants appears to be filling gaps created by overstretched healthcare systems.
However, experts say this trend could create serious consequences if patients rely on inaccurate or incomplete advice generated by artificial intelligence systems.
Researchers Warn of “Unregulated AI Healthcare System”
Professor Graham Lord, lead author of the study, warned that Britain may already be witnessing the emergence of what he described as an “unregulated AI healthcare system” operating alongside the NHS.
He said the findings demonstrated how quickly AI technology was influencing healthcare decisions made by the public.
“This research underlines the scale and pace at which AI is already shaping how people access healthcare,” Lord said.
“While the opportunities are significant, it also highlights concerns about safety and accountability.”
He warned that responsibility becomes unclear when artificial intelligence systems provide poor or misleading medical guidance.
“When something goes wrong with AI, responsibility is often placed on clinicians, even where they have limited control over how AI tools are introduced,” he added.
Researchers said stronger transparency, regulation and oversight would be necessary to ensure both healthcare professionals and patients can trust AI systems used in medical settings.
Some Patients Avoided Professional Care After Using AI
One of the most concerning findings from the research involved patients deciding not to seek medical care after interacting with AI chatbots.
According to the study, around one in five respondents who used AI for health advice said the technology did not encourage them to seek professional medical support.
A similar proportion said they actively chose not to consult a doctor because of information provided by an AI chatbot.
Researchers warned that this could increase risks for patients with serious or worsening conditions who may delay treatment after receiving misleading reassurance from automated systems.
Healthcare experts have repeatedly warned that some AI-generated medical advice can contain factual inaccuracies, missing context or unsafe recommendations.
Previous studies examining online AI systems, including automated search summaries and chatbot-generated health responses, found that false or misleading information can sometimes be presented confidently and convincingly.
Royal College of GPs Raises Concerns
Professor Victoria Tzortziou Brown, president of the Royal College of General Practitioners, described the findings as “highly concerning”.
She warned that patients should never feel forced to rely on AI because of difficulties accessing NHS services.
“Patients should not feel they have to rely on AI tools because they are facing long waits or difficulties accessing support,” she said.
She stressed that while artificial intelligence can provide quick answers, it cannot replace professional medical assessment.
“AI can provide quick answers, but it cannot examine a patient, fully understand their medical history, pick up on subtle signs, or make safe clinical judgments based on evidence,” she explained.
“The information it provides can also be inaccurate, misleading or missing important context.”
Professor Brown added that technology should support healthcare professionals rather than replace them.
“Technology has a vital role to play in healthcare, but it must not become a substitute for investing in general practice or ensuring patients can access safe, timely care from a trained professional,” she said.
Public Divided Over AI Role in NHS
The study also revealed deep public divisions over whether AI should play a direct role in NHS clinical decision-making.
Researchers found that 37% of respondents supported the use of AI in clinical decisions, while 38% opposed it.
Younger people appeared more sceptical about artificial intelligence being integrated into healthcare services.
Among respondents aged between 18 and 24, nearly half opposed clinical AI use within the NHS. By contrast, only 36% of people aged 65 and older shared the same concerns.
The findings suggest attitudes toward healthcare technology vary significantly between generations, despite younger groups generally being more familiar with digital tools.
Experts say trust, transparency and proper regulation will likely determine how comfortable patients become with AI-assisted healthcare in the future.
NHS Under Pressure as Demand Rises
The study comes at a time when the NHS continues facing severe operational pressures across multiple services.
Britain’s healthcare system has struggled with staff shortages, record waiting lists and growing patient demand since the Covid-19 pandemic.
Many GP surgeries continue reporting overwhelming appointment demand, while hospitals face backlogs in treatment and diagnostics.
The government and NHS leaders have increasingly promoted digital healthcare technologies as part of broader modernisation efforts aimed at improving efficiency and reducing pressure on frontline services.
Artificial intelligence is already being tested in areas including diagnostic imaging, appointment management, administrative support and patient triage.
However, medical organisations continue warning that AI systems require strict safeguards, professional oversight and clear accountability frameworks before being widely adopted in clinical settings.
Growing Debate Over AI Regulation in Healthcare
The findings are likely to intensify debate over how artificial intelligence should be regulated within healthcare systems.
Experts say AI has the potential to improve efficiency, speed up diagnosis and support doctors in handling growing workloads.
At the same time, concerns continue mounting over patient safety, data privacy and the reliability of machine-generated medical advice.
Healthcare regulators in Britain and internationally are still developing frameworks governing how AI can safely operate in medical environments.
Medical professionals also warn that overreliance on automated systems could weaken the human relationship between doctors and patients, particularly in areas requiring empathy, judgment and personalised care.
Researchers involved in the study said public trust would depend heavily on transparency around how AI tools operate and how healthcare decisions are made.
Trusted Sources Still Recommended
Healthcare leaders continue encouraging patients to rely on trusted medical sources when seeking health information online.
The Royal College of General Practitioners advised patients to use official NHS resources and contact qualified healthcare professionals if symptoms persist or worsen.
Experts stressed that while AI chatbots may become increasingly common in everyday life, they should not replace professional medical care.
The study’s findings suggest artificial intelligence is already changing healthcare behaviour across Britain — but also underline the urgent need for safeguards as AI becomes more deeply integrated into public health systems.