The Future of AI Support in Health Care: Understanding Informal Caregivers’ Multidimensional Expectations of AI Chatbots

This study examines how informal caregivers of older adults form expectations of artificial intelligence-based chatbots (AI chatbots) for caregiving support, drawing on the human–machine communication framework. Findings from six focus group discussions in Singapore showed that informal caregivers’ expectations were multidimensional—encompassing the functional, relational, and sociotechnical aspects. While participants generally expected AI chatbots to assist with informational and practical caregiving tasks, they remained skeptical regarding their capabilities to provide accurate medical advice, emotional support, and complex health care decision-making. Expectations were shaped by machine heuristics, prior technology experiences, caregiving experiences, and sociotechnical contexts. Theoretical and practical implications were discussed.