AI CHATBOT USERS MORE LIKELY TO BELIEVE VACCINE MYTHS

The KFF poll identified a significant link between frequent AI chatbot use for health information and belief in vaccine myths, including the debunked claim that vaccines cause autism. The survey polled a representative sample of 2,480 US adults in May. Respondents who regularly consulted AI tools for health guidance showed higher rates of vaccine misinformation acceptance compared to those who did not use chatbots for medical advice. The findings raise concerns about the reliability of AI-generated health information. Current AI chatbots can produce plausible-sounding but inaccurate medical claims, and their widespread use for health queries may amplify misinformation spread. The correlation does not establish causation—it remains unclear whether AI chatbots drive vaccine skepticism or whether people predisposed to such beliefs preferentially use these tools. Health officials have expressed concern about people bypassing traditional medical professionals for AI-generated health advice. The results underscore ongoing challenges in combating medical misinformation in the age of AI.