Trusting Generative AI for Health Advice: Preregistered Survey Experiment
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By
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Asheley R Landrum
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Nitin Verma
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Amanda Kehrberg
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June 22, 2026
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Objective:
To explore how generative AI is evaluated as a source of health guidance and the conditions under which it is perceived as credible.
Approach:
Key Findings:
- Generative AI tools are increasingly used for health-related inquiries.
- Trust in the source of health information is crucial for individuals acting on medical advice.
- Perceptions of source credibility influence acceptance of health messages.
- AI systems may be viewed as more reliable than human providers due to their ability to synthesize extensive medical literature.
- Perceived domain specialization of AI influences credibility assessments.
Interpretation:
Limitations:
- The study may not capture all factors influencing trust in AI.
- Responses may vary based on individual experiences and biases.
Conclusion:
