This Fast Fact looks at findings from the 2025 Employee Benefit Research Institute/Greenwald Research Consumer Engagement in Health Care Survey and explores how consumers view artificial intelligence in health care decision making. Nearly half of privately insured adults say they trust AI health tools as much as — or more than — their health care provider. While providers remain the most trusted source, the findings suggest AI is becoming a meaningful part of how people approach their health decisions.
Figure 2 How strongly do you agree or disagree with each of the following statements regarding smart health technology? Strongly Agree Somewhat Agree I Wish My Data Could Be Shared More Effectively With My Doctor 18% 45% 64% March 12, 2026, #553 Smart Health Technology Has Made It Easier to Access the Care I Need 12% 49% 61% I Trust That the Data Collected by My Smart Health Technology Is 13% 46% 59% Secure Nearl I Ques y H tion the Aalf ccurac of y of the Consum Data I Get From My Sma ers T rt Health rust AI as Much as or More 15% 43% 59% Technology I Am Comfortable With Smart Health Technology Using Artificial Than Their Health Care Prov 14%ider for He 42%alth Decisi 56% ons Intelligence (AI) I Rely on My Smart Health Technology to Help Me Make Healthier 14% 42% 56% Lifestyle Choices The Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI)/Greenwald Research Consumer Engagement in Health Care I Wish My Data Could Be Shared More Effectively With My Doctor 15% 38% 53% Survey found that while health care providers remain the most trusted source for health-related decisions, many Using Smart Health Technology or Other Digital Tools Convinced Me to consumers report similar levels of trust in artificial intelligence (AI) tools. 10% 41% 51% Seek In-Person Care I Trust the Health Plan Recommendations AI Provides 10% 41% 50% When asked how much they trust AI or digital health assistant tools compared with care from a health care provider, 45 percent of p I Tr rius vat t the el H y i eansu lth Care De red acdul isiontss Aage I Prov s id 21 es –64 sa 11%id they trust AI 37% tools as much a 47% s or more than their provider, while 55 percent said they trust their provider more. Smart Health Technology Is Not Worth the Cost 13% 30% 43% I Want to Use AI Tools to Help Me Make Health Care Decisions, but I 9% 33% 42% Figure 1 Don't Know Where to Start I Want to Use AI Tools to Help Me Choose Which Health Plan Is Right for When making health care decisions, how much do you trust artificial 11% 31% 42% Me, but I Don't Know Where to Start intelligence (AI)/digital health assistant tools compared to care from a 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% health care provider? Source: Employee Benefit Research Institute and Greenwald Research, 2025 Consumer Engagement in Health Care Survey 35% 32% At the same time, respondents expressed interest in more effective sharing of health data across the health system. 30% Many said they wish their health data could be shared more effectively with their doctor and their28% health insurance 27% company, suggesting that consumers may see benefits in technologies that better integrate health information. 25% Taken together, the findings suggest that while traditional health care providers remain central to health decision making, consumers increasingly view AI-enabled technologies as a complementary tool in managing their health. 20% More information about the EBRI/Greenwald Research Consumer Engagement in Health Care Survey can be 15% found online. 10% 10% The 2025 Consumer Engagement in Health Care Survey was an online survey of 2,001 Americans ages 21 – 64 with private health insurance coverage. It was fielded between October and November 2025. The survey 5% 3% is made possible with funding support from the following organizations: Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, Cigna Healthcare, HealthEquity, Inspira Financial, Johnson & Johnson, Segal, TIAA, and 0% WEX. I Trust AI/Digital Tools Much I Trust AI/Digital Tools I Trust Them Equally I Trust AI/Digital Tools I Trust AI/Digital Tools Much More Somewhat More Somewhat Less Less The Employee Benefit Research Institute is a private, nonpartisan, and nonprofit research institute based in Source: Employee Benefit Research Institute and Greenwald Research, 2025 Consumer Engagement in Health Care Survey Washington, D.C., that focuses on health, savings, retirement, and economic security issues. EBRI does not lobby and does not take policy positions. The work of EBRI is made possible by funding from its members and Although providers remain the most trusted source overall, the findings suggest that AI tools are becoming part of sponsors, which include a broad range of public and private organizations. For more information, visit how many consumers approach health decision making. www.ebri.org. Survey results also indicate that consumers see potential value in smart health technologies. Majorities of Greenwald Research is a leading independent custom research firm and consulting partner to the health and respondents reported being comfortable with smart health technology that uses AI and said these tools can make it wealth industries that applies creative quantitative and qualitative methods to help companies stay competitive easier to access care and support healthier lifestyle choices. In addition, many consumers reported that using smart and navigate industry change. Leveraging deep subject matter expertise and a consultative approach, Greenwald health technology or other digital tools has encouraged them to seek in-person care. offers comprehensive services to answer strategic business questions. For more information, go to www.greenwaldresearch.com. ### © 2026, Employee Benefit Research Institute, 901 D St. SW, Suite 802, Washington, DC 20024, 202/659-0670 | ebri.org 2