Behaviour and Information Technology· 2026Q1
From search agents to dissemination interfaces: understanding human trust in health information from conversational search
- 0citations
- Q1SCImago
- 2026year
Short summary
Conversational AI like ChatGPT yields higher trust in health information than Google (N=21), and trust varies significantly across text, speech, and embodied interfaces disseminating LLM-sourced information (N=20).
AI-generated from the title and abstract; the full text is not read.
Key points
- ChatGPT-sourced health information received significantly higher trust than Google (N=21).
- Trust in LLM-generated health information varied significantly across text, speech, and embodied dissemination interfaces (N=20).
- Key trust factors identified include source credibility, user autonomy, prior knowledge, and interaction style/modality.
AI-generated from the title and abstract; the full text is not read.
Abstract
Large Language Models (LLMs) deployed through Conversational User Interfaces (CUIs) are transforming health information-seeking by offering immediate, interactive experiences compared to traditional search engines like Google. However, how trust is influenced by both the types of search agents and the interface used to disseminate the information remains underexplored. This research integrates two mixed-methods studies (lab sessions and interviews) to comprehensively explore trust perceptions in health information across different search agents and dissemination interfaces. In Study 1 (N=21), we investigated trust in health information sourced from ChatGPT and Google across three types of health-related search tasks. Results showed significantly higher trust in health information from ChatGPT, highlighting the promise of LLM-powered conversational search. Building on this, Study 2 (N=20) extended the investigation to explore how the dissemination interface influences trust in LLM-sourced health information by comparing three interfaces: text-based, speech-based, and embodied, all sourcing from the same LLM. Findings revealed significant trust variations across the dissemination interfaces. Interviews from both studies revealed key factors influencing trust in LLM-powered conversational search, including source credibility, participants' search autonomy, and prior knowledge as well as the interaction style and modality. Our findings highlight the potential of LLM-powered conversational search to transform health information-seeking, underscoring the interplay between the credible search agents and the thoughtfully designed dissemination interfaces in shaping trust. These insights are crucial for developing effective, trustworthy LLM-powered health tools to enhance the health information-seeking experience.
The authors' abstract, as published at the source. Behaviour and Information Technology, 2026 · DOI ↗
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