Major gaps in online info for patients about AI and cancer

Limited and low-quality online information exists regarding AI’s impact on cancer research and treatment, particularly for patients and the general public.
Research presented at the 2026 ASCO Annual Meeting highlights this issue and calls for the creation of more accessible, high-quality resources.
The study screened 320 webpages and videos, finding that most were either irrelevant or not in layman’s terms. Out of those reviewed, only 33% of webpages and 23% of videos were high quality.
Recommended reading levels for consumer health info being significantly exceeded, with a median readability at a college level.
Risks of AI, such as potential inaccuracies and lack of patient-specific context, were rarely addressed directly to patients.
The study underscores the need for health systems to develop suitable educational resources and establish standards for AI-related information in cancer care.
Authors emphasize prioritizing patient education in AI implementation strategies to safely guide future use of AI tools in oncology.

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