ARLINGTON, VA – September 9, 2026 – To kick off its inaugural Health Week, the Consumer Technology Association (CTA)® is releasing new research showing 41 percent of consumers now incorporate AI and/or social media into their non-emergency healthcare journeys, with AI emerging as the preferred digital source. As AI plays a growing role in how Americans seek health information, CTA is launching a new industry standard to help ensure predictive health AI continues to perform accurately and reliably after deployment.

CTA's study, The Impact of AI and Social Media on Traditional Healthcare Systems, found that artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping the way Americans seek healthcare information. However, despite growing adoption, consumers continue to look to healthcare professionals as their most trusted source of medical guidance and overwhelmingly verify AI-generated information before acting on it.

The new standard, Operations and Monitoring of Predictive Health AI Solutions (CTA-2136), provides a risk-based framework to help organizations monitor performance, detect model drift, and require greater transparency around performance and model updates. Unlike technologies that remain largely unchanged after they enter the market, AI performance can evolve over time as data and real-world conditions change. The standard builds on Performance Verification and Validation for Predictive Health AI Solutions (CTA-2135), announced in 2025, which provides guidance for evaluating predictive health AI before deployment.

"Artificial intelligence is transforming healthcare by giving consumers greater access to information and helping providers deliver more informed care," said Kinsey Fabrizio, President and CEO, CTA. "As these tools become part of everyday healthcare, trust is essential. CTA's new standard advances an approach to health AI that promotes accuracy, transparency and accountability while allowing responsible innovation to improve care."

Additional findings from the research include:

• AI is becoming a routine part of healthcare. 41 percent of consumers now incorporate AI and/or social media into their healthcare information journeys, while 59 percent only rely on traditional search.

• Consumers use AI to supplement clinician care. Before a healthcare visit, consumers use AI and social media to assess symptoms and determine whether care is needed. After a visit, they rely on these tools to better understand provider guidance and seek second opinions.

• Trust remains essential. While consumers turn to AI for convenience, self-education and low-cost benefit, 85 percent verify AI- and social media-generated health information—most often by consulting a healthcare professional or checking credible sources.

Together, the new standard and research reinforce CTA's commitment to advancing a trusted digital health ecosystem. Learn more about CTA's health AI standards and research at CTA.tech/HealthAI.

About Consumer Technology Association (CTA)®:

As North America’s largest technology trade association, CTA is the tech sector. Our members are the world’s leading innovators – from startups to global brands – helping support more than 17 million American jobs. CTA owns and produces CES® – the most powerful tech event in the world. Find us at CTA.tech. Follow us @CTAtech.