Oops! There we have it – the question that deals with the limits of artificial intelligence and its role in healthcare and medicine. This is no small thing. Artificial intelligence has already changed our daily lives in many areas. This ranges from automated processes in production to predicting traffic patterns and voice recognition.
However, in the field of medicine, artificial intelligence still has a few hurdles to overcome. Why is that? Why shouldn’t we consider using ChatGPT – the most capable of all voice bots – for medical advice? Let's get to the bottom of the matter.
The magic and dangers of large language models
What are large language models?
To understand why we need to be careful, we first need to understand what the big language models are all about. These are deep neural networks that aim to generate human-like conversational skills. Essentially, these are fantastic text generators that have been trained based on a variety of texts from the Internet.
Convincing, but not always correct
Large language models such as ChatGPT are admirably good at generating human-like texts. You can answer questions, joke, and even tell stories that look like they were written by a human. But as impressive as these skills are, their weakness is the ability to produce persuasive statements that are sometimes false or inappropriate. And that is exactly what makes them so dangerous in medical advice.
If Dr. ChatGPT takes control
Quality and reliability are not checked
The main problem with using ChatGPT or similar bots for medical advice is the lack of a way to check the quality, relevance or reliability of the answers they provide. Although they often provide very convincing and detailed answers, these answers may be incorrect or misleading.
The lack of empathy and ethical considerations
AI models like ChatGPT cannot show empathy or make ethical considerations. They have no sense of a person's emotional situation or the consequences of their answers. They cannot assess whether information might be too distressing for a patient or whether it is ethically correct.
AI as a tool, not as a doctor
Risk to patient safety
Chatbots can be very useful in some areas. However, in medical advice, they pose a potential threat to patient safety. Incorrect or inaccurate medical information can lead to incorrect diagnoses, cause unnecessary anxiety or even dangerous medical decisions.
Need for new framework conditions
It is obvious that we need new framework conditions to ensure patient safety. We need to examine how and where AI is or can be used in medicine and ensure that this happens in safe and controlled environments.
Fate in the hands of Dr. Lay chatbot: The risk of misdiagnosis and misinformation
Misdiagnoses by AI bots
It may be tempting to simply type health questions into a chatbot and get an immediate answer. However, this convenience comes with significant risks. The key point is that while a model like ChatGPT is very good at imitating human conversation, it can still make mistakes. This is particularly true for complex and sensitive topics such as health and medicine.
Let's consider a hypothetical example: A user asks ChatGPT the question: “I have had a persistent cough for a few days and feel tired. What could that be?” ChatGPT might respond: “That could be a sign of a cold. Rest and drink plenty. Although this answer may seem harmless and reasonable at first glance, it could actually prove to be dangerous. What if the symptoms are actually signs of a more serious illness, such as lung cancer or COVID-19? Such a misdiagnosis would result in the user not seeking the necessary medical help until late or not at all.
A similar risk exists when people independently search for medical information on the Internet. The fact that almost any kind of information is literally available in a matter of seconds can tempt you to say “Dr. Google” instead of going to a real doctor. But not all information on the Internet is reliable or accurate.
Let's take another example. A user suffering from headaches searches the Internet for possible causes and comes across a website that claims that headaches could be a sign of a brain tumor. This information could cause unnecessary fear and panic in the user. Headaches are very common and often have harmless causes.
Health information: A sensitive area where care is required
Medical misinformation and its consequences
The dangers posed by incorrect medical information should not be underestimated. Not only can they lead to people not seeking necessary medical care. They can also cause unnecessary anxiety and stress. In some cases, they can even lead to unsafe or dangerous self-treatment methods.
Accurate and reliable medical information is in demand.
The examples show how important access to accurate and reliable medical information is. They are also an indication of the risks associated with using AI bots or internet searches for medical advice. Diagnoses and medical advice should therefore always be given by a medical professional. AI can be a useful tool in many areas. However, when it comes to our health, we must be careful and ensure that we receive accurate and reliable information.
Conclusion
Advances in AI have given us tools that allow us to find and use information at unprecedented speed and convenience. Language models like ChatGPT have an impressive ability to generate conversations similar to those of humans and provide a wealth of information upon request. But when it comes to our health, caution is advised.
The examples discussed show the risks of using these AI models for medical advice. An incorrect diagnosis or inaccurate medical information can have serious consequences. They range from delayed medical care to unnecessary anxiety to unsafe or even dangerous self-treatment methods.
Similarly, self-searching online can lead to a barrage of inaccurate or misleading information that can do more harm than good. It may be tempting to say “Dr. Google”, but the risks are real and must be taken into account.
AI models like ChatGPT are tools, nothing more. They are not a substitute for human contact, clinical judgment and individual care from doctors and medical professionals. In our increasingly digitalized world, using AI responsibly and clearly understanding its limitations is more important than ever. This is the only way we can reap the benefits of AI while protecting health and well-being.
This might also interest you:
Hidden danger on Facebook: Emotional fraud through saying groups
The “Without CO₂” wasteland comes from a video game
Are you sure you know the truth? Why you should distrust almost everything today
If you enjoyed this post and value the importance of well-founded information, become part of the exclusive Mimikama Club! Support our work and help us promote awareness and combat misinformation. As a club member you receive:
📬 Special Weekly Newsletter: Get exclusive content straight to your inbox.
🎥 Exclusive video* “Fact Checker Basic Course”: Learn from Andre Wolf how to recognize and combat misinformation.
📅 Early access to in-depth articles and fact checks: always be one step ahead.
📄 Bonus articles, just for you: Discover content you won't find anywhere else.
📝 Participation in webinars and workshops : Join us live or watch the recordings.
✔️ Quality exchange: Discuss safely in our comment function without trolls and bots.
Join us and become part of a community that stands for truth and clarity. Together we can make the world a little better!
* In this special course, Andre Wolf will teach you how to recognize and effectively combat misinformation. After completing the video, you have the opportunity to join our research team and actively participate in the education - an opportunity that is exclusively reserved for our club members!
Notes:
1) This content reflects the current state of affairs at the time of publication. The reproduction of individual images, screenshots, embeds or video sequences serves to discuss the topic. 2) Individual contributions were created through the use of machine assistance and were carefully checked by the Mimikama editorial team before publication. ( Reason )

