AI health chatbots are booming — but experts warn they’re no substitute for real care

Don’t miss the full story, whose reporting from Matthew Perrone at The Associated Press is the basis of this artificial intelligence-assisted article.

As artificial intelligence chatbots become increasingly popular for health advice, experts are urging users to understand both the benefits and limitations of these tools before sharing sensitive medical information or making important health decisions.

Some key facts:

• OpenAI launched ChatGPT Health in January, a chatbot that can analyze users’ medical records, wellness apps and wearable device data to answer health questions.

• Both OpenAI and Anthropic say their chatbots are not substitutes for professional care and should not be used to diagnose medical conditions.

• Neither OpenAI nor Anthropic is bound by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, meaning health data shared with their chatbots does not carry the same legal protections as data shared with a doctor or hospital.

• Both companies say they do not use health data to train their AI models and allow users to opt in or disconnect at any time.

• An Oxford University study of 1,300 participants found that people using AI chatbots to research health conditions did not make better decisions than those using online searches or personal judgment.

• In written medical scenarios, AI chatbots correctly identified the underlying condition 95% of the time, but they struggled when interacting with real users. It’s better to check with your medical provider directly.

• Experts recommend skipping AI chatbots entirely when experiencing serious symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath or severe headaches. Call 911 in an emergency.

• Consulting multiple chatbots — similar to seeking a second medical opinion — can help users feel more confident in the information they receive.

READ MORE: What to know before seeking health advice from an AI chatbot