Artificial intelligence gains the trust of parents more than that of doctors.
That’s according to a new study from the Life Span Institute at the University of Kansas, which found that parents seeking information about their children’s health are turning more to AI than to human health professionals.
The research, published in the Journal of Pediatric Psychology, also found that parents view AI-generated text as “credible, moral and trustworthy.”
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More than 100 parents aged 18 to 65 were invited to evaluate text generated either by a human doctor or by ChatGPT (the AI chatbot created by OpenAI) under the supervision of an expert.
The study concluded that ChatGPT is “capable of impacting behavioral intentions for decision-making regarding medications, sleep, and diet.
“We are concerned that people may increasingly rely on AI for health advice without supervision from appropriate experts,” the study’s lead author wrote in a press release. (iStock)
There was also “little distinction” between ChatGPT and experts on the criteria of perceived morality, trustworthiness, expertise, accuracy and trustworthiness, according to the study.
But when differences were found, ChatGPT’s responses were rated as more reliable and accurate, with participants saying they would be more likely to trust the chatbot’s information.
The study’s lead author, Calissa Leslie-Miller, a doctoral student in clinical child psychology at the University of Kansas, noted that research started right after the launch of ChatGPT.
“We had concerns about how parents would use this new, simple method to gather information about their children’s health,” she wrote in a press release.
“Parents often turn to the internet for advice, so we wanted to understand what using ChatGPT would be like and what we should be concerned about.”
Study participants said they would be more likely to rely on ChatGPT for answers about their children’s health. (Frank Rumpenhorst/photo alliance via Getty Images)
Leslie-Miller said the results were surprising to researchers because they were early in ChatGPT’s availability.
“We’re starting to see AI being integrated in ways that may not be immediately obvious, and people may not even recognize when they’re reading AI-generated text versus expert content “, she noted.
Although ChatGPT can “work well in many cases,” the AI model “is not an expert” and can still generate erroneous information, the researcher warns.
“People may not even recognize when they are reading AI-generated text or expert content.”
“In the area of children’s health, where the consequences can be significant, it is crucial that we address this issue,” she said.
“We are concerned that people will increasingly rely on AI to health tips without the supervision of appropriate experts.
Leslie-Miller suggested that AI users be cautious of the information provided by chatbots and that they should only rely on information “consistent with expertise from an AI source non-generative”.
One researcher advised parents to only rely on information “consistent with expertise from a non-generative AI source.” (AP Photo/Richard Drew, file)
Dr. Harvey Castro, an emergency physician and AI expert in Texas, told Fox News Digital that he understands why parents might turn to tools like ChatGPT for “quick health care advice” when technology is “increasingly integrated into our lives”.
“The immediacy and convenience of AI can be incredibly appealing, especially for busy parents who are looking for answers at all hours.”
“The immediacy and convenience of AI can be incredibly appealing, especially for busy parents who are looking for answers at all hours,” he said.
Castro agrees with the researchers that combining human expertise and AI is “much more effective” than relying on unsupervised AI, especially when it comes to children’s health.
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“AI can provide valuable preliminary information, but it cannot fully capture a child’s unique medical history, subtle symptoms, and nuances from years of specialized training,” he noted.
“This is where the human element is irreplaceable: the involvement of a qualified healthcare professional, especially a pediatrician, ensures that the information is accurate, personalized and safe,” Castro continued. “Keeping the right human in the loop is crucial.”
“The human element is irreplaceable: the involvement of a qualified healthcare professional, especially a pediatrician, ensures that the information is accurate, personalized and safe,” said one doctor. (iStock)
Castro added that a pediatrician can interpret AI-generated information about children’s health and make “informed decisions” that AI cannot.
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The expert encouraged parents to use AI tools as a starting point when seeking answers about their children’s health, but then “always consult a pediatrician“.
By combining the two, Castro said, healthcare professionals can “improve the quality of care, capturing nuances that might otherwise go unnoticed.”
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“Together, we can leverage technology to provide faster, more effective care without sacrificing the personal touch and critical thinking that only humans can provide.”
Fox News Digital has reached out to the study researchers for comment.