OpenAI says the feature is meant to support people with general health questions, not to diagnose conditions or replace medical professionals.
Privacy Measures and Data Separation
According to OpenAI, conversations within ChatGPT Health are stored separately from regular chats. The company also states that this health data will not be used to train its AI models.
In a blog post, OpenAI said the feature includes enhanced privacy controls to protect sensitive information. However, privacy advocates say strong safeguards are essential when handling medical data.
Andrew Crawford from the Center for Democracy and Technology stressed that health information is among the most sensitive data people can share. He warned that companies must maintain strict separation between health data and other user information, especially as AI companies explore advertising based business models.
Availability and Regional Restrictions
ChatGPT Health is currently available only to a small group of early users in the US. OpenAI has opened a waitlist for others who want access.
The feature has not launched in the UK, Switzerland, or the European Economic Area. These regions have strict data protection rules that tech companies must meet before processing health information.
Concerns About AI and Health Advice
AI tools are known to sometimes generate incorrect or misleading information while sounding confident. Despite this, Max Sinclair, CEO of AI marketing platform Azoma, believes OpenAI is positioning ChatGPT as a trusted health resource.
He described the launch as a turning point that could reshape how people access health information and even influence purchasing decisions related to treatment and wellness.
Sinclair also said the feature could give OpenAI a competitive edge as it faces growing pressure from rival AI platforms such as Google’s Gemini.
Growing Use of AI for Health Questions
OpenAI reports that more than 230 million people ask ChatGPT questions about health and wellbeing each week. The company says ChatGPT Health was built to help users make more informed decisions while still encouraging professional medical care.
However, Crawford warned that in the US, some companies collecting health data may not be bound by strict privacy laws. He cautioned that without strong regulations, health data could be collected, shared, or stored without adequate protection.
