Tech companies launch health AI chatbots raising privacy concerns
Major tech companies including Microsoft, Amazon, OpenAI and Anthropic have launched or are testing AI health chatbots that allow users to share personal health records. Experts warn of significant privacy risks including data breaches and potential misuse, and note the tools could lead to unnecessary health anxiety and doctor visits.
What happened
Microsoft unveiled a tool allowing users to share health records from multiple providers with its chatbot Copilot, which can combine this data with fitness device information like Apple Watch data to provide health insights.
Amazon, OpenAI and Anthropic began testing similar toolsโHealth AI, ChatGPT Health and Claude for Healthcareโthis year.
Reported impact
Experts warn that sharing health records with tech companies creates privacy risks, including potential data breaches and misuse of sensitive information.
The chatbots could lead to unnecessary health anxieties and doctor visits, similar to past technologies that made people overly anxious about their health.
The companies whose AI chatbots have made headlines for contributing to some users' psychosis, isolation and unhealthy habits are treading into risky territory by collecting health data and offering direct feedback.
Index analysis
Physicians noted potential upsides to chatbot-assisted health care, such as helping people gain insight into their health at a time when healthcare is becoming increasingly unaffordable.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.