Use of AI for Health Purposes and Its Association with Anxiety Among U.S. College Students

As generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools become increasingly integrated into students’ academic and personal lives, their use for health-related purposes requires further investigation. This study examines the relationship between anxiety and health-related AI use among U.S. college students, using data from the 2023–2024 Healthy Minds Study. Results indicate that students with higher anxiety scores were significantly more likely to use AI for health purposes and to access professional mental health services. Among students who use AI for health, those with greater anxiety were also more likely to report using formal mental health services. Gender and academic fields also influenced AI use. Female students were less likely than male students to use AI for health purposes, despite being more likely to seek professional help. Students in health-related and STEM fields reported greater AI use than those in the humanities and arts. These findings highlight the importance of designing responsible AI tools that account for students’ mental health needs and emphasize the need for further research into how students engage with these tools during periods of psychological distress.