Exploring Young Adults' Attitudes Toward AI-Driven mHealth Apps: Qualitative Study

Area of Science:

• Digital Health
• Human-Computer Interaction
• Psychology

Background:

• Artificial intelligence (AI)-driven mobile health (mHealth) apps offer potential for health management.
• User perceptions and attitudes toward AI mHealth apps are not well understood.
• Understanding user psychology is vital for designing and implementing AI mHealth solutions effectively.

Purpose of the Study:

• Investigate young adults' attitudes toward AI-driven mHealth apps.
• Explore perceived benefits and concerns regarding future adoption of AI mHealth apps.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative focus group methodology.
• Fifteen young adults (12 men, 3 women; mean age 27) participated.
• Thematic analysis identified key engagement themes.

Main Results:

• Key themes: Usability (user-friendly, personalized), Innovation & Reliability (enthusiasm vs. skepticism), Affectivity & Interaction (mixed emotional impact), Perceived Risks (data privacy, human supervision).
• Participants exhibited ambivalent attitudes, with some open to adoption and others cautious.
• Factors influencing engagement include user experience, trust in AI, emotional considerations, and privacy concerns.

Conclusions:

• Prioritize usability, trust, emotional support, and privacy in AI mHealth app design.
• Address users' psychological needs and expectations for better engagement.
• Findings inform user-oriented mHealth solutions; further research on long-term use is recommended.