Almost three quarters of UK employees now trust the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare journeys, according to Howden Employee Benefits’ Changing Face of Employee Health report.
The report’s employer research was conducted by Qualtrics among 441 employers across global regions, excluding the USA, in September 2025. The employee research was conducted by Qualtrics and Censuswide among 1,460 global employees across all regions, excluding the USA, with a base of 1,000 UK respondents in September 2025. Insurer data was compiled among five global insurers in September 2025.
Its findings follow February reports that MoneySupermarket has launched a ChatGPT app enabling customers to use AI to compare provider offerings across financial services – including health and life insurance.
And at the start of the year, ChatGPT announced the launch of ChatGPT Health.
Integrating AI
Howden’s report also found more than a third (38%) of UK employees have experienced some form of AI in their most recent healthcare journey. Specifically, 19% of employees experienced AI during the diagnosis journey, followed by 18% who said it was used as part of a treatment plan.
Of those polled, 18% have also had AI involved in a remote health monitoring capacity, while 15% administered their plan through AI capabilities.
More than a quarter (26%) of those engaging with AI during their journey said it worked well in their healthcare journey, and 19% believe it was quicker and more efficient. All looking good so far.
Delivering value
Around 44% of UK businesses would like to see AI-powered care adopted more widely.
In terms of how UK businesses view AI as delivering the most value, smart diagnosis and screening leads the way with 52% believing this will deliver value, followed by 36% for claims processing and approvals, the same percentage for virtual GP or triage service, 34% for predictive analysis for high-cost claims and 19% for fraud detection or prevention. Just 5% were not considering using AI.
AI revolution
Matthew Gregson, executive director at Howden Employee Benefits, said: “Healthcare isn’t the first industry to be revolutionised by AI, nor will it be the last – but consumer trust is more critical in healthcare than almost anywhere else.
“Health providers are building AI into their journeys in a way that directly and tangibly boosts trust. Employees consent to it because it often creates a better care pathway, with less intrusive appointments like digital dental assessments or mole detection scans. That’s great news for employers, who benefit from earlier diagnoses, a healthier workforce, and better ROI on their employee benefit investments. “
Best left to the experts
But Gregson added a word of warning.
“The use of AI in healthcare is best left to the experts,” he continued. “Providers are pouring millions of pounds into ensuring patients get the best care, and are doing due diligence on new solutions coming to market every day.
“With all of that time and investment, together with the regulatory environment, it is safer to harness AI in this way, rather than try to build in-house tools or adopt unproven solutions.
“Carefully selecting a great third-party provider is likely to be a safer, better value, and more effective option for 99% of firms.”