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Why you shouldn't trust AI to answer health questions

ended 21. July 2026

Should you trust AI with questions about health and medicine? Many are now using ChatGPT or Gemini to ask questions about ailments and illnesses they may have, instead of their GP.

  • Should you trust AI for health questions?
  • What are the pros and cons of doing so?
  • When can it be particularly dangerous?

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1 responses from the Newspage community

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Editor
Katrina YoungVerified
Futurist | Chief Technology Officer CTO/CDO Ethical AI & Digital Transformation Strategist at KYC Digital
It's understandable that people are turning to AI when GP appointments can be difficult to access. Used properly, AI can help explain medical terminology, improve health literacy and help people prepare for appointments. But we're asking the wrong question. The issue isn't simply whether AI is accurate. It's that AI can only respond to the information it's given. A GP notices what you haven't said, what doesn't fit and what needs further investigation. As someone who has developed AI tools in the wellbeing space, one of the biggest limitations is context. AI doesn't know your full medical history, medications, allergies or contraindications unless you tell it, and even then it cannot replace clinical judgement. That's why it should support healthcare, not decide it. AI is a useful assistant, but it should never be the deciding factor in whether someone seeks medical attention.