AI is steadily becoming a first point of support in healthcare, and OpenAI’s January 2026 report highlights how deeply tools like ChatGPT are now woven into everyday health-related decision-making. According to the report, more than 5 percent of all global ChatGPT interactions are tied to healthcare, with over 40 million people worldwide engaging with the platform each day for health guidance, explanations, and reassurance. Importantly, these conversations extend well beyond symptom checks, often covering how to navigate healthcare systems, interpret insurance details, or seek clarity when medical services are unavailable.
The findings suggest that AI is most relied upon when access to traditional care is limited. Nearly 70 percent of healthcare-related queries occur outside standard clinic hours, indicating that people frequently turn to AI late at night, early in the morning, or during weekends. Usage is particularly strong in rural and underserved regions, which together generate close to six lakh healthcare-focused interactions every week. In areas described as hospital deserts—where medical facilities are sparse—AI tools handled more than 5.8 lakh messages per week over a four-week period. States such as Wyoming, Oregon, and Montana recorded some of the highest proportions of healthcare-related engagement, underscoring how AI is filling gaps where in-person care is harder to access.
Healthcare professionals are also increasingly adopting AI, primarily to reduce administrative burden rather than replace clinical judgment. The report references surveys showing that AI usage among physicians in the United States jumped from 38 percent to 66 percent within a year. Among nurses, nearly half now rely on AI tools weekly, particularly for documentation, billing, and other routine paperwork that consumes valuable time. This shift reflects a broader trend of clinicians using AI to streamline workflows and focus more on patient care.
Alongside these insights, OpenAI introduced HealthBench, a new benchmark designed to assess how effectively AI systems assist both patients and clinicians. The framework evaluates performance across seven critical healthcare domains, with an emphasis on safety, reliability, and meaningful interaction. Together, the data and new evaluation tools signal a growing recognition of AI as a practical, trusted layer in modern healthcare—supporting users when systems are strained and helping professionals manage the increasing complexity of care delivery.
