OpenAI Rolls Out ChatGPT Health to Every US Adult
OpenAI wants your medical records, and says its AI is ‘better than clinician level’.
Background
On Thursday, OpenAI began rolling out ChatGPT Health to every logged-in US adult. The chatbot can now connect to your Apple Health data and medical records, drawing on them within any conversation. Over 300 million people already ask ChatGPT health questions weekly.
Bold Claim
OpenAI’s vice-president of health product, Ashley Alexander, claimed their models "are now capable of reasoning at levels that are better than clinician level". However, the company’s health lead, Karan Singhal, later softened this statement, acknowledging it was supported by "individual studies".
Features
The feature integrates health directly into the main chat, merging a dedicated health space after testing revealed over 70% of health chats occurred elsewhere. Users can connect Apple Health, One Medical, Function Health, or supported US hospital systems. ChatGPT can compare lab results, summarize visit notes, and offer personalized recipes while considering dietary restrictions.
Privacy Focus
OpenAI emphasized privacy, stating connected records, Apple Health data, and chats using them will not train models or target ads. Data is encrypted, access can be revoked, and disconnected data is deleted within 30 days.
Critics’ Concerns
Despite the privacy focus, critics express concern about the potential for surveillance and misuse of medical data as AI technology advances.
Timely Launch
The launch occurs days after a Florida pastor sued OpenAI, claiming ChatGPT gave him "extremely dangerous medical recommendations" that led to a near-fatal pulmonary embolism. This raises questions about the reliability and disclaimer of the bot, which states it does not replace a doctor.
AI in Medicine
Despite these concerns, the integration of AI into medicine presents real benefits, offering a more holistic view of patient records for better diagnosis and care. However, the risks are equally significant as AI technology continues to evolve.