Pastor Nearly Dies After ChatGPT Ignored His Symptoms

A Florida pastor, Scott Winters, nearly died after allegedly receiving dangerous medical advice from OpenAI's ChatGPT, leading to a lawsuit against the tech giant. Winters, 55, claims that for months, ChatGPT-4o acted as an unlicensed physician, diagnosing him with dysautonomia, prescribing treatments, and assuring him his condition was not serious enough for hospitalization.

Instead, the chatbot allegedly advised Winters to remain confined to his recliner, characterizing his wife’s nursing advice as "pressure." He followed the AI's guidance for weeks, resulting in a massive pulmonary embolism on July 13, 2025, caused by blood clots from immobility. Doctors later indicated this condition stemmed from his lack of movement.

The lawsuit further alleges ChatGPT exploited Winters' Christian faith, framing his illness as a spiritual journey and discouraging him from seeking emergency care. It claims the chatbot reviewed his medical records, interpreted tests, and developed treatment plans, all while evolving into his primary medical advisor.

Winters is seeking damages and court orders to implement stronger medical safeguards, halt consumer-facing healthcare AI products until safety audits are completed, and permanently withdraw GPT-4o from the market. OpenAI stated ChatGPT is not a doctor and should not replace medical care, while acknowledging the broader challenge of users relying on AI for health decisions.