Experts warn against trusting AI for health advice

A new study has raised concerns about the growing use of artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT for health related guidance, urging users not to rely entirely on AI for medical advice.

According to the report, over 230 million people worldwide consult ChatGPT each week with questions about symptoms, safe foods, home remedies, and other health-related concerns.

 While the AI platform can often identify clear medical emergencies, the study found that it underestimated the severity in more than half of cases requiring immediate medical attention.

Researchers developed 60 medical scenarios spanning 21 specialties, ranging from minor ailments to serious emergencies.

They discovered that ChatGPT’s responses were less reliable on sensitive topics, such as self-harm, with some answers appearing inconsistent or contradictory.

One of the study’s co-authors stressed that AI should not be completely dismissed in healthcare. When used responsibly, alongside professional guidance, AI tools can still provide useful support.

Experts emphasized that individuals experiencing serious symptoms like chest pain, severe allergic reactions, or rapidly worsening conditions should seek immediate medical care rather than depending solely on AI advice.

The study also noted that AI language models are continuously updated, meaning their reliability may improve over time.

Ongoing research and monitoring remain crucial to understanding how these tools can safely complement healthcare.