Rutgers study finds one in three young adults use AI for substance-use information

A study conducted by Rutgers Health researchers reveals that more than 32% of young adults aged 18 to 29 use generative artificial intelligence, such as ChatGPT, to seek information regarding substances and substance use. The findings, published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research Formative Research, indicate that these users primarily seek information on the risks and consequences associated with substance use.

Researchers expressed concern that the use of AI chatbots could lead to risky behaviors due to the potential for these tools to reproduce misinformation. Approximately half of the respondents who use AI for substance-related inquiries reported doing so at least once a month.

The study, which surveyed nearly 1,000 participants, also noted demographic disparities, finding that Black and male participants were more likely to use AI for substance-use-related purposes. Researchers suggested these disparities might reflect differences in healthcare access or stigma.