Exploring artificial intelligence literacy’s role in healthy behaviors and mental health

Comprehensive Summary

This article examines how artificial intelligence (AI) literacy influences the behaviors and mental health outcomes in individuals with different AI literacy levels. Lee et al. conducted a review by systematically analyzing peer-reviewed studies published between 2020 and 2025 from databases that linked AI literacy with health behaviors and mental health, such as PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. Their findings suggest that individuals with higher AI literacy levels are able to critically evaluate AI-generated health recommendations, leading them to successfully adopt healthy behaviors related to nutrition, physical activity, sleep, and stress management into their lifestyles. In contrast, individuals with low AI literacy may become too dependent on AI tools or misinterpret their guidance, which can contribute to maladaptive health behaviors and increased psychological distress. The review also highlights that AI literacy may serve as a determinant of health equity, particularly for communities with less technological access. Overall, the authors emphasize the need to integrate AI literacy into health education and to design user-centered AI tools so that all individuals can use them effectively to make informed decisions that support both their physical and mental health.

Outcomes and Implications

This research is important because AI tools are increasingly being used in both preventive care and mental health support; however, their effectiveness depends heavily on users’ AI literacy. Lee et al.’s findings suggest that improving AI literacy could enhance patient engagement, adherence to health recommendations, and psychological well-being. The authors note that individuals with limited AI literacy may misunderstand AI guidance, leading to poor health choices, whereas those with stronger AI skills are better able to use these tools thoughtfully and maintain healthy behaviors. Additionally, Lee et al. emphasize the importance of incorporating AI literacy into health and mental health education, while also designing tools that are user-focused. This research is particularly relevant to medicine because AI is already widely used in mental health apps, patient education, and clinical decision-making. Therefore, the integration of AI literacy into public health and medical training is becoming increasingly important as digital health technology continues to expand.