Data from a nationally representative YouGov survey of 2,100 UK adults, conducted between 13th and 14th July 2026 and weighted to ONS population estimates, demonstrates that 8 % of the adult population now turns to standalone AI tools as their first port of call when seeking health information, advice, or guidance. This shift aligns consumer AI adoption directly with long-standing social mechanisms, matching the proportion of citizens who rely on advice from friends or family