8 Reasons to Talk with a Health Care Provider Instead of Relying on AI

Artificial intelligence (AI) can respond to a question in seconds. It can explain an unfamiliar medical term, help you make sense of information from your doctor, or even offer suggestions about what might be causing your symptoms. And Americans are already putting those abilities to use: In a June 2026 Pew Research Center survey, 25% of respondents said they use AI chatbots to help diagnose symptoms.   

But a response that sounds convincing isn’t necessarily one you should trust with your health.  

While AI can produce remarkably human-sounding responses, it does not think. It generates responses by identifying and applying patterns in data. It does not have a health care professional’s clinical training, direct knowledge of the patient, or professional responsibility for the patient’s care.

So, when it comes to your health, AI can be a useful tool—for things such as generating low-impact workout ideas or high-fiber recipes—but it's no replacement for the expertise of a health care professional. The National Institutes of Health, for example, found that an AI model sometimes made mistakes in its medical reasoning even when it arrived at the correct answer.  

Before you ask a chatbot what that persistent cough means or whether you should worry about your latest lab result, here are eight reasons AI doesn't replace your health care provider's expertise.

AI lacks clinical background and medical training

Health care providers are trained to notice nuance. They spend years becoming experts on the human body. There is no replacing that knowledge and experience.

Some health care professionals use AI tools designed and evaluated for specific medical purposes, but those tools are developed for specific health care uses and differ from the general-purpose chatbots consumers commonly use.

AI may not have your complete health information

Your medical history heavily influences care decisions and treatment paths. While determining the best care for you, your provider and care team can access your medications, allergies, test results, previous treatments, current symptoms, and more. AI only has access to the personal health information you provide to it, and that can mean important context gets left out.

There’s also an important privacy difference. Health information you share with your health care provider is protected by federal privacy rules, including HIPAA when it applies. AI may be subject to different privacy requirements, so think carefully before entering personal health information.

Risk of inaccurate information

 AI responses can vary greatly depending on various factors, including the information provided to it and even the version of the technology the chatbot in use relies upon to function. For these reasons, AI responses can omit important information or include inaccuracies, which can potentially negatively impact your understanding of your health and how you seek professional care. Your provider knows which questions to ask you to correctly assess you.

AI can’t perform a physical exam

AI can’t examine you in person. Sure, it can scan a picture of a wound or review an uploaded X-ray. But this level of assessment is subpar to what health care providers offer: in-person assessment. Doctors can notice swelling, discoloration of the skin, or lagging reflexes in a way that AI can’t. Accurate diagnoses rely on observing these physical signs. And if your BJC HealthCare provider is seeing you virtually, they can ask you to come for an in-person visit if they see something concerning.

Lack of accountability  

If something goes wrong with your health or your treatment plan, AI companies may not be ethically or legally accountable. It’s in your best interest as a patient to have someone who you can call on if any issues arise. Licensed health care professionals are accountable and responsible for their treatment and recommendations—AI is not.  

Not understanding values, background, or preferences  

In the same way that AI may not know your personal health history, it also may not know your religious or cultural background. But a doctor knows how to consider these factors with patients. People of certain religious backgrounds may approach their health care differently, depending on their religious values. A human practitioner knows how to inquire about a patient’s preferences.

Bias in data  

AI systems can reference sources and materials that may contain bias, including bias against genders, ethnicities, body size, and more. This can lead to responses that could be inappropriate and incorrect for certain populations.  

Ineffective in an emergency  

Say you or your loved one experiences a medical event, such as a heart attack or a stroke. In that moment, the last thing you want to do is open an AI app on your phone. Call 911 immediately to get appropriate emergency medical care.

Find a primary care provider

If you need a primary care provider or a new appointment with your existing provider, schedule your wellness visit now. In addition to the things mentioned above, your primary care doctor can also:  

• Provide preventive care, such as vaccinations and cancer screenings.
• Help you manage chronic conditions, such as diabetes and high blood pressure.
• Refer you to specialists they trust when needed.
• Coordinate your care with specialists and other health care professionals.
• Advocate for you in the health care system.

Schedule an appointment.