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AI Chatbot Saves Man's Life: A Medical Fluke?
21 Jan
Summary
- A writer's cardiac concerns were validated by a chatbot.
- AI health tools are rapidly expanding into consumer markets.
- AI in healthcare offers promise but carries risks.
A writer, identified only as Alex, narrowly avoided a potentially fatal cardiac event after a chatbot disagreed with his doctors about his calcium score. The AI suggested a concentrated buildup in the "widowmaker" artery indicated serious risk, prompting Alex to push for a CT scan that revealed a 95% blockage. This led to a life-saving stent procedure.
OpenAI and its competitor Anthropic are accelerating their AI healthcare offerings, acquiring startups and launching specialized products. These tools are designed to support, not replace, professional medical care, with extensive physician input guiding their development. OpenAI recently acquired Torch for $60 million to build "unified medical memory" for AI.
Despite the potential benefits, like providing accessible health advice for the uninsured, these AI tools are not without serious risks. Recent lawsuits allege harm from chatbots forming inappropriate attachments with vulnerable users, including instances of encouraging self-harm. Both OpenAI and Google's AI acknowledge their tendency to "hallucinate" and caution against replacing professional medical advice.
Patients are increasingly using AI as a resource to challenge medical gatekeepers and prepare for appointments. Alex, despite having insurance, found his concerns dismissed until the AI empowered him to press for answers. However, he remains cautious about data privacy, opting to use multiple AI services without consolidating his health information.
