The data: Just 44% of Americans trust the use of AI in healthcare, down from 52% two years ago, according to Reach3 Insights and Rival Technologies’ “2026 Digital Health Trends” of 1,043 survey respondents.

Why it matters: AI use in healthcare is growing, but consumer trust hinges on familiarity with the technology, and most are comfortable using AI for informational, low-risk applications.

• Among people who already use AI to manage their health or wellness, 88% trust the tech, compared with 38% who don’t use AI for health, per Reach3 and Rival.
• Nearly one third (29%) are interested in using AI for health and wellness in the future, while 38% are not interested and 33% are unsure.
• Consumers in the Reach3 survey said they were more comfortable using AI for information-seeking and administrative support than for medical decisions.
• A Sacred Heart University report in November found patients would be more comfortable using AI for rote tasks such as personalized health reminders (41%) or to schedule appointments (39.6%) than for diagnosing health conditions (24.7%) or surgical procedures (12.7%).

Implications for healthcare providers: Healthcare providers need to not only be transparent about how they’re using healthcare AI in their daily practices, but also introduce it gradually into the patient experience. Basic tools like medication reminders or symptom checkers can help patients get comfortable with AI before expanding into more clinical care uses. It’s also important to frame AI as an assisting tool that enhances, rather than replaces, healthcare providers’ expertise.