AI at everyone’s fingertips? Identifying the predictors of health information seeking intentions using AI

Abstract

The advent of AI tools has the potential to transform how health information is sought, which increases the need for insights into why individuals turn to AI. The study, guided by channel-specific predictors covered by the Planned Risk Information Seeking Model, additionally considers trust and risk perceptions toward AI, and examines the predictors of one’s AI-seeking intention. The results of an online survey (N = 1,121) indicated that attitudes toward seeking, seeking-related norms, and perceived seeking control were significant predictors of individuals’ intention to seek health information from AI. In contrast, trust and risk perceptions were of minor relevance.