Are we ready for ChatGPT Health?

OpenAI’s announcement about its new ChatGPT Health program has sparked discussion about data privacy and how health information is kept safe, with a dedicated health space inside ChatGPT that lets users connect medical records and wellness apps to ground conversations. The feature is described as a support tool rather than a diagnostic or treatment system, aimed at making health answers more personalised and useful by referencing a user’s own data.

However, concerns have been raised, including that only users outside the European Economic Area, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom can join the waitlist for now, and that health information is especially sensitive. OpenAI says it only uses partners and apps meeting its privacy and security requirements, which shifts much trust onto ChatGPT Health itself, while according to The Record, sharing electronic medical records could effectively remove HIPAA protection for US users.

The article urges caution and highlights practical steps such as enabling two-factor authentication, noting that OpenAI claims 230 million users already ask ChatGPT health and wellness questions each week.