What to know before asking an AI chatbot for health advice
ABC News
Tech companies are pushing new health chatbots, but experts say you still need to talk to your doctor
WASHINGTON -- With hundreds of millions of people turning to chatbots for advice, it was only a matter of time before tech companies began offering programs specifically designed to answer health questions.
In January, OpenAI introduced ChatGPT Health, a new version of its chatbot that the company says can analyze users' medical records, wellness apps and wearable device data to answer health and medical questions. Currently, there's a waiting list for the program. Anthropic, a rival AI company, offers similar features for some users of its Claude chatbot.
Both companies say their programs, known as large language models, aren't a substitute for professional care and shouldn't be used to diagnose medical conditions. Instead, they say the chatbots can summarize and explain complicated test results, help prepare for a doctor's visit or analyze important health trends buried in medical records and app metrics.
Here are some things to consider before talking to a chatbot about your health:
Some doctors and researchers who have worked with ChatGPT Health and similar programs see them as an improvement over the status quo.
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