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 analyse users’ medical records, wellness apps and wearable device data to answer health and medical questions.
Currently, there is 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 are not a substitute for professional care and should not be used to diagnose medical conditions.
Instead, they say the chatbots can summarise and explain complicated test results, help prepare for a doctor’s visit, or analyse important health trends buried in medical records and app metrics.
This image by OpenAI shows a health chatbot on a phone app. Photo: OpenAI via AP
