Over 1,000 AI-Generated Fake Doctor Accounts Spread Medical Misinformation
Maldita.es discovered over 1,000 YouTube accounts with AI-generated fake doctors spreading medical misinformation in 30 languages, including 20 Polish-language channels. The videos falsely claim herbs cure cancer, discourage medical treatment, and target elderly audiences, reportedly posing a threat to public health by potentially delaying critical medical interventions.
What happened
Spanish fact-checking organization Maldita.es discovered over 1,000 YouTube accounts featuring AI-generated doctors spreading misinformation in more than 30 languages, including 20 channels posting in Polish, at the end of July 2026.
The accounts use AI-generated avatars designed to resemble doctors, with channel names often containing terms like 'dr' or 'lekarz' and popular Polish surnames such as 'Kowalski' or 'Nowak'.
Videos promote false medical claims including that eggs can cure cancer and diabetes, high blood pressure readings do not require medical attention, and sunscreen causes cancer, contradicting established medical guidance. One account impersonated Poland's Chief Sanitary Inspector.
Reported impact
Katarzyna Lipka of NASK's Narrative Trends and Fact-Checking Analysis Team stated the videos pose a serious threat to public health, particularly for patients with untreated life-threatening conditions such as cancer where treatment timing is critical.
Content targeting older audiences aged 50-65+ may delay medical treatment decisions, risking additional complications or loss of chance for effective cure. Lipka noted elderly people may have greater difficulty distinguishing genuine videos from AI-generated materials.
Index analysis
NASK stated that regulations including the EU AI Act may limit such content but will not eliminate medical misinformation.
Six of the analyzed accounts were created within the preceding three months, indicating ongoing proliferation.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.