New Yorkers Warned Not to Trust AI With Medical Emergencies

More New Yorkers are using artificial intelligence to ask questions about symptoms, medicine, and other health concerns. AI can help explain medical terms or help someone prepare questions for a doctor. However, it can also give wrong or incomplete information.

A Man Says ChatGPT Nearly Cost Him His Life

A Florida man filed a lawsuit against OpenAI after he said ChatGPT discouraged him from seeking medical care. According to the lawsuit, the man asked ChatGPT about dizziness and pain. He claimed the chatbot told him to stay home and limit movement. He was later hospitalized with a dangerous blood clot in his lungs.

These are claims made in an ongoing lawsuit and have not been proven in court. OpenAI has said ChatGPT is not a doctor and should never replace medical care. Reuters reported details of the case.

ChatGPT Health Is Now Available

OpenAI recently introduced ChatGPT Health for eligible adults in the United States, including New York. The feature allows users to ask health questions and choose to connect information such as medical records or Apple Health data.

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OpenAI says the tool is designed to support medical care, not replace it. It is not meant to diagnose an illness or provide treatment. Anyone experiencing an emergency should get professional help right away, according to official OpenAI documentation.

Fake AI Doctors Are Online

AI health concerns go beyond chatbots. A study found signs of AI use in 40% of popular health videos on TikTok. Among the top results for “health tips,” that number jumped to 84%. Some accounts use fake people dressed like doctors. The person viewers see and hear may not be real or have any medical training.

Check Before You Trust

New Yorkers should check who created a health video before following its advice. Look for the person’s full name, medical license, and workplace. You can also search for the same information on trusted websites run by hospitals, government health agencies, or recognized medical groups.

Know When to Get Help

Do not wait for a chatbot to decide whether an emergency is serious. Call 911 or seek immediate medical care for warning signs like chest pain, trouble breathing, sudden weakness, confusion, fainting, or severe bleeding. AI can be a helpful starting point, but your doctor should have the final word.