Will Gen Z Accept and Embrace Artificial Intelligence for Health?

By Morish Shah and Ami B. Bhatt, MD

The most diverse and tech-savvy generation — Generation Z (Gen Z) — is rapidly reshaping the healthcare landscape. By 2026, they will be the largest U.S. generation at 82 million individuals[1]. As consumers, Gen Z consistently pursues tools that streamline their daily routines, in which Artificial Intelligence (AI) can play a role in meeting their needs and preferences[2]. Through the evolution of AI technologies such as personalized recommendations on platforms like Netflix, YouTube, and Spotify, Gen Z has witnessed how simple algorithms have transformed into highly sophisticated tools capable of delivering tailored content based on individual preferences and behavior. This has contributed to their expectations in healthcare, where they now seek AI-driven solutions that provide similar personalized experiences. With 66% of Gen Z using digital health tools like fitness trackers, 62% engaging with patient portals, and 55% relying on telemedicine services[3-5], it is crucial to consider their preferences when designing digital health technologies. This article explores how Gen Z’s openness to AI is transforming the healthcare industry and provides insights into how this forward-thinking generation is shaping its future.

Willingness to embrace AI

Apart from the technological capabilities, Gen Z expects AI to deliver real, measurable value. This expectation mirrors their everyday use of AI-driven tools like virtual assistants, which have become more common in their lives. These tools provide tailored, data driven solutions that save time, reduce costs, and are efficient. In a recent survey, 64% of Gen Z respondents indicated that they trust an AI-generated diagnosis more than a human doctor and 82% expressed comfort with AI tool incorporation in medical imaging and diagnosis, illumining Gen Z’s strong trust in AI within healthcare[6].

The Expanding Role of Generative AI in Healthcare

Generative AI tools, particularly large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT, have become an integral part of Gen Z’s academic toolkit, providing instant feedback and personalized learning support. Given their efficiency, Gen Z holds similar expectations for these tools in the healthcare sector. LLMs can offer interactive experiences by answering medical queries, providing tailored suggestions based on a patient’s clinical data, and serving as virtual health assistants. They can also assist in managing chronic health conditions, reducing patients’ reliance on traditional healthcare providers for minor concerns. By doing so, LLMs have the potential to alleviate the burden on healthcare systems and offer more accessible, responsive care for everyday health needs.

Value proposition of AI for Gen Z

For Gen Z, AI primarily holds value when it simplifies and personalizes their healthcare experiences. Tools like LLM Chatbots, Remote Patient Monitoring, and Telemedicine offer proactive care and continuous support, aligning perfectly with this generation’s fast-paced, mobile lifestyles by providing access anytime and anywhere. Healthcare providers can leverage AI to enhance patient engagement, streamline care delivery, and reduce administrative burdens. Recent data shows that 53% of consumers, including many from Gen Z, believe generative AI can improve healthcare access, while 46% think it can make healthcare more affordable[7, 8]. These insights illustrate that AI-driven solutions are crucial for meeting Gen Z’s elevated expectations in healthcare.

The Evolution of Healthcare Systems

Traditional healthcare, with its long waits and bureaucratic hurdles, feels increasingly outdated to Gen Z, a group that has grown up expecting immediacy and personalization in nearly every aspect of their lives. Just as Amazon reshaped the retail world by emphasizing fast delivery, personalized suggestions, and a seamless user experience, healthcare organizations must now follow suit. The term “Amazonification” has come to represent this shift, marking the point where industries either adapt to modern consumer expectations or face obsolescence.

Healthcare institutions must adapt to these preferences, as Gen Z’s inclination for AI-driven healthcare solutions is influencing the sector to become more consumer focused. These inclinations do not mean simply implementing innovative technologies but rather rethinking the entire patient experience. Ranging from virtual care platforms that offer point of care consultations to AI-powered diagnostic tools that provide instant results, it is becoming increasingly more important for healthcare organizations to adopt a model of care that prioritizes speed, flexibility, and personalization. A failure to meet these expectations risks alienating the very demographic that will soon become the largest segment of healthcare consumers.

Looking Forward: Thoughtful AI Integration to Engage Gen Z

The evolving healthcare landscape makes it integral to integrate AI into healthcare services for companies to remain competitive. However, it is essential that these integrations are executed thoughtfully, transparently, and ethically, as Gen Z is hyper aware of issues surrounding data privacy, security, trust, and personal empowerment. Organizations that fail to focus on these values risk segregating this generation and jeopardizing their position in the healthcare market.

Gen Z is looking for data-driven solutions that go beyond automation. They expect AI tools to not only assist but to better predict and prevent health issues in the long term, empowering them with greater control over their health management.

To this end, to effectively meet these expectations, healthcare companies can create Gen Z advisory boards. By directly involving this generation in the development and refinement of AI-driven healthcare solutions, companies can ensure that their offerings align with the values and needs of Gen Z. This engagement will also aid companies in anticipating future trends and staying ahead of the curve when designing new tools.

Gen Z has shown a commitment to embracing AI in health and wellness. Healthcare organizations that lead the way in developing AI-driven solutions tailored to Gen Z’s expectations will be well-positioned to attract and retain this generation, while also appealing to future patients.

Morish Shah is a student dedicated to serving vulnerable communities by bridging public health and digital health innovations.

References

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2.??????????? Martinex, D. Gen Z and AI: How the Digital Generation is Shaping the Future of Technology. 2024; Available from: https://www.wokewaves.com/posts/gen-z-and-ai-technology.

3.??????????? PYMNTS. Gen Z Is ‘Generation Digital Health’ as 62% Use Digital Patient Portals. 2023; Available from: https://www.pymnts.com/healthcare/2023/gen-z-is-generation-digital-health-as-62percent-use-patient-portals/.

4.?????????? Health, D. Gen Z healthcare: App preferences, trends, and features that resonate. 2024; Available from: https://www.pragmaticcoders.com/blog/gen-z-healthcare-app.

5.??????????? RTOR. Gen Z Mental Health Epidemic: Can Telehealth Be The Solution? . 2024; Available from: https://www.rtor.org/2024/05/09/gen-z-mental-health-epidemic-can-telehealth-be-the-solution/.

6.??????????? Stempniak, M. Nearly two-thirds of consumers surveyed say they’d trust a diagnosis from AI over a human doctor. 2024; Available from: https://radiologybusiness.com/topics/artificial-intelligence/nearly-two-thirds-consumers-surveyed-say-theyd-trust-diagnosis-ai-over-human-doctor.

7.??????????? Landi, H. US patients believe generative AI can improve healthcare access, affordability, survey finds. Fierce Healthcare. 2023; Available from: https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/ai-and-machine-learning/us-patients-believe-generative-ai-can-improve-access-affordability.

8.??????????? AIPRM. AI in Healthcare Statistics. 2024; Available from: https://www.aiprm.com/ai-in-healthcare-statistics/.

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