Abstract
Objective
This study aims to examine the linkage between incidental information exposure and individuals’ continuous intention to use AI chatbots in healthcare, and whether this process varies by pre-existing attitudes toward human doctors.
Method
Data were collected through a cross-sectional survey (
N
= 779) from June 11 to June 16, 2025. Structural equation modeling and multigroup comparison analysis were conducted to test the hypothesized relationships and group differences.
Result
Incidental exposure to information about AI chatbots in healthcare was positively linked to both subjective (
β
= .378,
p
β
= .095,
p
β
= .222,
p
β
= .224,
p
β
= .468,
p
β
= .299,
p
β
= .135,
p
= .014) positive attitudes toward human doctors, as was the link between positive attitudes and continuous intention (high:
β
= .506; low:
β
= .271,
p
s
Conclusion
Incidental exposure to media information about AI chatbots in healthcare was positively linked to continuous usage intention through knowledge acquisition and attitude formation. Individuals with divergent levels of pre-existing attitudes toward human doctors performed differently within the mechanism.