Health consumer preferences for use of AI in healthcare: A tale of two conditions and applications

CHE RESEARCH BITES

By Vinh Vo, Maame Esi Woode, Stacy M. Carter, Chris Degeling and Gang Chen

27 November, 2025

AI-powered mobile health apps could transform healthcare by enabling early diagnosis, continuous monitoring, and better self management of chronic conditions. However, the rapid growth of AI has outpaced research into what consumers actually want from these technologies.

A new study examined public perceptions of AI diagnostics and virtual health assistants for heart disease and depression. Over 1,100 Australians participated in a choice survey evaluating five key characteristics: anonymised data sharing, human-AI interaction, AI accuracy, explanations of results, and funding source.

The survey results showed that AI accuracy was most important to participants, followed by collaboration between human doctors and AI, rather than AI working alone. People preferred not to share anonymised data for depression, whilst no such preference emerged for heart disease. Explanations of AI results and funding sources were generally less influential in decision-making.

Important differences emerged across groups: those who reported fearing AI were less likely to choose AI diagnostics or virtual health assistants for heart disease. Older adults (60+) showed lower acceptance of AI for both conditions, whilst younger adults (18-29) were more inclined to use virtual health assistants for heart disease.

This research is particularly timely as Australia advances its AI healthcare policy. The government recently published Safe and Responsible Artificial Intelligence in Health Care guidance, and the Therapeutic Goods Administration received regulations for medical device software, including AI applications. Understanding these preferences is crucial for ensuring AI technologies are implemented safely, effectively, and in ways that align with consumer values and improve health outcomes.

Vo, V., Woode, M. E., Carter, S. M., Degeling, C., & Chen, G. (2025). Unravelling public preferences for the use of Artificial Intelligence mobile health applications in Australia. Value in Health. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jval.2025.06.013

Find out more about the Economic Behaviour, Incentives and Preferences in Health theme.

CHE Research Bites are short, easy-to-understand summaries of our recent academic papers highlighting new evidence and insights on topical issues in the health and healthcare sectors.

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