Tom Vaughan, life insurance expert at Confused.com, explains why AI shouldn’t be used as a replacement for a GP and how life insurance policies can offer additional reassurance.
Almost two in three (59%) Brits are now using AI to self-diagnose. One in 10 (11%) say that using AI to self-diagnose helped improve their condition. That’s according to new research from Confused.com Life Insurance.
The average waiting time for a GP appointment in the UK is currently 19 days, yet searches for ‘what is my illness?’ (85%), ‘what are the symptoms for’ (33%) and ‘side effects’ (22%) have all increased since January 2025.
The research found that people are turning to tools like ChatGPT to expand their health knowledge and self-diagnose, highlighting their top queries and whether the responses helped.
What health-related queries are Brits searching for with AI?
Symptom checks top the list, with almost two-thirds (63%) of people in the UK using AI to search for any physical or mental effects they are experiencing. Side effects (50%) follow, with many people (38%) also researching wellbeing techniques in diet and fitness, as well as treatment options (30%) such as medication and surgery. One in five (20%) are also seeking mental health support in the form of therapy and coping strategies.
Interestingly, more than a third (35%) of people aged 65 and over are using AI for self-diagnosis, with the majority (54%) checking their symptoms. Although some of the older generation are self-diagnosing online, 18–24-year-olds rely most heavily on the technology, with more than three-quarters (85%) of that age group regularly searching.
Does an AI diagnosis actually help improve a health condition?
Overall, more than one in 10 (11%) claimed using AI helped their health situation ‘a great deal’, with more than two in five (41%) saying it helped ‘somewhat’. This indicates that, for most people, AI has had a positive influence on their health, potentially encouraging them to visit a GP for a formal diagnosis. Only around one in 10 (9%) said it didn’t help at all, again suggesting that those who found AI unhelpful are in the minority.
Other insights show that three-quarters (75%) of non-binary people or those with an alternative identity claimed the diagnosis helped ‘a great deal’, compared to almost one in 10 (9%) women and more than one in 10 (13%) men.
What are the advantages of using AI for self-diagnosis?
Almost half (42%) claim that using AI is quicker than waiting for a doctor’s appointment. In fact, half (50%) of 25–34-year-olds and more than half (51%) of 35–44-year-olds prefer not to take risks with delays. They believe self-diagnosing online is a faster way to respond than waiting for a doctor.
One in five (20%) also have their family’s wellbeing in mind, researching online to determine how best to support loved ones’ health issues. This view was strongest among 35–44-year-olds, where it is held by almost a third (30%).
Interestingly, almost a quarter (24%) feel more comfortable not having to speak face to face with a health professional, especially those aged 18–24, where this number rises to almost two-fifths (39%).
Meanwhile, almost one in five (17%) are seeking alternative medical advice and solutions, with 25–34-year-olds doing so more than any other age group at over a quarter (27%).
Tom Vaughan, Life Insurance Expert at Confused.com, said: “Advances in AI technology have created a new way for people to approach healthcare and self-diagnosis. More individuals are taking steps to support their own and their family’s wellbeing, getting ahead of health concerns and addressing situations as quickly as possible.
“While AI can be useful for initial research and gaining an understanding of a condition, it’s clear that for ultimate peace of mind people should consult a GP or pharmacist. GPs and other medical professionals are the only people who can accurately diagnose conditions, some of which may worsen or become long-term illnesses without proper treatment.”
