You already trust your phone and smart watch to count your steps, remind you to take deep breaths, and nudge you to drink more water. But lately, these devices are doing something new: telling you what to eat, when to sleep, and even which supplements to take.
With the rise of artificial intelligence (AI), it seems like there’s almost nothing our devices can’t do for our health. From chatbots that build custom meal plans to supplement quizzes that spit out “personalized” stacks, platforms like ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Gemini are quickly becoming the newest members of people’s wellness teams—and for many, they’re an appealing addition. In fact, more than a third of Americans now say they’ve used AI to guide a health decision, according to recent consumer surveys. After all, it’s fast, tailored specifically to you and your needs, and feels much more specific than Googling your symptoms for the hundredth time. You simply type a question into the box and an algorithm spits out an answer that sounds pretty confident, science-backed, and maybe even polite.
“For years, patients have felt frustrated by short [doctor] visits, rushed answers, and a lack of proactive guidance,” says naturopathic physician Kiera Lane, N.M.D., MSAc, L.Ac., Dipl. Ac., director of Arizona Natural Medicine. “AI is helping to change that by empowering people to understand their bodies and ask smarter questions before illness strikes, turning information into prevention, not damage control.”
It sounds exciting, sure, but that confidence may come with consequences. How much should you really trust AI with your health? Ahead, experts share how to use it wisely so that technology becomes a tool in your wellness routine, not the one running it.
- ABOUT OUR EXPERTS: Kiera Lane, N.M.D., MSAc, L.Ac., Dipl. Ac., is a naturopathic physician, licensed acupuncturist, and director of Arizona Natural Medicine. Emily Gozy, M.S., R.D.N., C.D.N., is a registered dietitian. Courtney Vickery, R.D., is a registered dietitian specializing in weight-inclusive nutrition and eating disorders.
What AI Can Actually Do for Your Health
When used correctly, AI can make healthy living feel more effortless by translating data into guidance tailored to you personally. “What AI does best is help you understand the data you’re already tracking, like your sleep, workouts, and meals, by turning it into something more meaningful,” explains Lane. “It connects the dots between your habits and how you feel day to day.”
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For many, that insight alone can be a game-changer, but AI’s bigger potential lies in how it expands access to credible health information. “For people who don’t have regular medical care or nutrition support, these tools can offer a starting point—a way to better understand the basics of their own health,” says registered dietitian Emily Gozy, M.S., R.D.N., C.D.N. “It lowers barriers for those who might not have the time, resources, or insurance to see a professional right away.”
AI can also help you notice small shifts in your well-being before they turn into bigger issues. Maybe you’re asking AI why you’re suddenly exhausted all the time, or why your digestion seems off. By spotting trends or changes (whether through your questions or your tracked data), AI can flag when something might be worth paying attention to. “It’s not about diagnosing problems; it’s about helping you connect the dots sooner so you can take meaningful next steps—whether that’s adjusting your habits, checking in with a pro, or ordering a lab test to dig deeper,” adds Gozy.
Where AI Falls Short
As useful as AI can be, experts warn it should never replace advice from a certified medical professional. Even the smartest algorithm can only work with the data it’s given, and that data isn’t always complete or accurate, warns Gozy. “These tools sound certain even when they’re wrong,” she says. “That’s especially dangerous with supplements or chronic conditions, where misinformation can lead to real harm.”
Another drawback to AI is that it can’t read social context in the same way that a human can, notes Courtney Vickery, R.D., a dietitian specializing in weight-inclusive nutrition and eating disorders. For example, it doesn’t know you’re under extra stress, traveling more than usual, or dealing with a new medication unless you explicitly feed it that information. “AI tools can easily miss key details like medication interactions, family history, or the difference between a harmless symptom and something that actually needs medical attention,” she says.
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Your doctor, on the other hand, has likely seen you several times, has an understanding of your basic family and lifestyle dynamics, and knows whether or not you’re dealing with a new medication.
Privacy is also a growing concern. Many free wellness apps collect and sell user data, including menstrual-cycle logs, mood trackers, and location information, explains Gozy. “If an app is free, your data is likely the product,” she says. This is most often true for AI tools, too—and the implications can be quite serious.
Researchers at the University of Cambridge’s Minderoo Centre for Technology and Democracy found that period-tracking apps collect and sell intimate personal data—information that could, in some cases, be used to identify pregnancy or abortion status. And remember the 23andMe data breach in 2023? Nearly seven million users had their genetic information exposed, proving that even services you pay for aren’t immune when your biological data becomes a product to be bought and sold.
Tips for Using AI to Your Advantage
Like most tools in the wellness world, AI works best when you stay in the driver’s seat. While it can help you spot patterns and make sense of health info that once felt overwhelming, it still needs your judgment to keep things safe, accurate, and personalized, notes Lane. Here are expert tips for how to get the most out of it.
Let AI arm you with info, not a definitive answer
Experts agree that AI is a great tool to help you learn information about your health. Think of it as an upgraded version of a classic Google search. That said, you should be as wary of AI as you would be of the OG search engines. “Use it to gather ideas, learn about possible causes, or prepare questions for your next appointment, but then bring that information to a qualified healthcare provider who can interpret it through the lens of your unique health history,” says Gozy.
Be specific and honest with your input
When asking questions to an AI bot, give it as much context as possible so that the advice you receive is truly tailored to you. Don’t skimp on details about your habits, symptoms, medications, stress levels, and the like. “Vague or incomplete prompts can lead to overly general guidance that doesn’t actually serve you,” Lane says. The more accurate and relevant the data you input, the more accurate and relevant the responses will be.
Look for a reputable source
AI pulls information from the web in the same way that Google does; it just delivers it in a more conversational and personalized manner. Oftentimes, AI provides sourcing, via a mention or even a link. Follow through and verify that information with the source directly, as sometimes you may find that it doesn’t quite match what AI spat out at you. Lane also advises being skeptical of anything claiming to “diagnose,” “treat,” or “prescribe.” “Those are medical functions that belong in the hands of professionals, not algorithms,” she explains.
Protect your privacy
AI is fueled by data. Before you share anything personal, especially health-related information—like a screenshot of your last mammogram or doctor’s notes from your most recent visit—take a minute to understand how the platform handles that data. “Many apps quietly share or sell user data to third parties for marketing or research,” explains Gozy. “Even if your name isn’t attached, your health patterns, location, or habits can still be linked back to you through digital fingerprints.”
If an app or tool’s privacy policy is vague or hard to find, that’s a warning sign. “Always look for clear details on what data is collected, how it’s stored, and who it’s shared with,” Gozy suggests. “You need to make sure there’s a clear privacy policy and an option to delete your data.” Otherwise, any feedback or suggestions you receive may come at the cost of your privacy.