Key Points
- OpenAI launches a dedicated ChatGPT Health tab for medical questions.
- Health chat history is kept separate from other ChatGPT conversations.
- Encryption and multifactor authentication are used to protect data.
- Health conversations will not be used to train the AI model.
- Users can link wellness apps like Apple Health and MyFitnessPal.
- The service is not intended for diagnosis or treatment.
- Experts warn that lack of HIPAA coverage may expose health data to risk.
- The feature is currently in beta and available via a waitlist.
OpenAI Expands Into Health Care with a Dedicated ChatGPT Tab
OpenAI disclosed that its popular AI chatbot will soon roll out a new tab called ChatGPT Health. The tab is meant to serve as a centralized hub for users’ medical inquiries, providing a separate chat history and a memory feature that keeps health‑related conversations distinct from other ChatGPT usage.
Features and Integration
The company says the health tab will allow users to connect wellness applications such as Apple Health and MyFitnessPal, creating a more connected experience that draws on additional personal health information. Encryption and multifactor authentication are cited as safeguards to protect user data, and OpenAI emphasizes that health conversations will not be used to train the chatbot.
Privacy and Regulatory Concerns
Privacy advocates note that the United States lacks a general‑purpose privacy law and that HIPAA protects data only when held by specific entities like health‑care providers and insurers. Because OpenAI is not bound by HIPAA, experts warn that the company and any partners could collect, share, and use health data without the same level of legal protection, potentially putting sensitive information at risk.
Intended Use and Limitations
OpenAI’s blog states that the service is not intended for diagnosis or treatment. Nonetheless, the company acknowledges the broader context of AI providing incorrect or harmful advice, citing a past incident where a user was hospitalized after following AI‑generated dietary guidance. OpenAI also references ongoing work to strengthen responses in sensitive conversations, including mental‑health topics, though specific safeguards were not detailed.
Availability and User Access
ChatGPT Health is currently in beta testing. Users interested in trying the feature can join a waitlist, as the tab is not yet live to the public.
Source: cnet.com