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

Table 1 Framework of artificial intelligence literacy’s role in healthy behaviors and mental health

Key concept	Academic summary
AI literacy	Refers to a set of cognitive and behavioral competencies enabling individuals to understand, critically evaluate, and effectively engage with AI technologies
Influence on health behaviors	Individuals with high AI literacy are more likely to make autonomous, context-sensitive decisions regarding nutrition, physical activity, and sleep hygiene
Implications for mental health	Higher AI literacy facilitates sustained engagement with digital mental health tools, promotes psychological resilience, and reduces vulnerability to depression
Interpretation of AI outputs	AI-literate users are better equipped to question overly deterministic or context-deficient algorithmic recommendations, thereby avoiding maladaptive outcomes
Digital health equity	AI literacy functions as a determinant of equitable access to and benefit from health technologies, necessitating support for digitally marginalized populations
Educational imperatives	Curricular integration of AI-related content, including algorithmic bias and ethical implications, is critical for fostering informed digital health engagement
Policy considerations	Emphasizes the importance of explainable AI, inclusive user-centered design, and community-based initiatives to build digital competence at scale

AI: Artificial intelligence.