Growing reliance on AI chatbots like ChatGPT for health advice sparks warnings from online users who stress the risks of misinformation and urge consulting real doctors.
PETALING JAYA: As artificial intelligence (AI) tools such as ChatGPT gain popularity, concerns are mounting over people relying on chatbots for self-diagnosis instead of consulting qualified doctors.
The debate was ignited by an online post asking whether users trust ChatGPT to diagnose health problems and whether its advice is safe.
Responses from the online community were largely critical, speaking against placing trust in AI for medical decisions.
Natural-You4322 sarcastically highlighted the danger of online symptom checks and said: “Search anything and you can end up with cancer as a diagnosis.”
InterestingSir1866 said they avoid using ChatGPT for health issues, preferring cautious online searches.
“AI often makes mistakes and exaggerates, so I would not want to put my life in its hands.”
mrpokealot called the idea of using ChatGPT as a doctor “terrifying” while awx10 said asking Google and ChatGPT should be avoided in the early stages of illness as they often leap to extreme conclusions.
Some acknowledged AI’s appeal in providing reassurance.
Alexisreddit516 noted that ChatGPT’s calm, confident tone could reduce panic compared with standard search engines, but stressed that responses are not gospel.
Concerns were also raised about “AI hallucinations”, in which chatbots confidently generate false or misleading information.
RotiPisang_ said such responses could mislead users while ponyponyta highlighted examples of AI presenting dangerous inaccuracies as fact.
In their critique, ponyponyta said chatbots lack genuine understanding and merely stitch patterns from unverified sources.
The user spoke against treating AI as a replacement for professional judgement or therapy, noting that it could fail at even basic tasks, such as mathematics.
They claimed that some chatbots might respond inappropriately to vulnerable users discussing personal struggles, posing risks if AI is mistaken for professional support.
“AI may be useful for creative writing or storytelling, but it is poorly suited for situations in which factual accuracy matters.”
They added that much of AI’s appeal lies in its conversational “personality” while companies benefit from user interactions to collect data and market their technology.
“This is just my understanding,” they concluded, urging scepticism when using AI for health, safety or personal wellbeing.”
yoonpples highlighted ethical risks, saying chatbots may affirm harmful behaviour because they are designed to sound supportive rather than judge right from wrong.
Overall, users agreed that AI could provide general information but cannot replace trained medical professionals, particularly when health and safety are on the line.
