What to know before asking an AI chatbot for health advice (be sure to get a second AI opinion)

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https://apnews.com/article/chatbots-health-chatgpt-ai-claude-llm-1008892e0eb8ef4dbab4818beb15daef

What to know before asking an AI chatbot for health advice
By MATTHEW PERRONE
Updated 9:01 AM CST, March 2, 2026

WASHINGTON (AP) — 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:

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Click Exit if AI says you have prostate cancer and you are a woman