The Hidden Dangers of Using AI for Health Advice

In recent years, artificial intelligence (AI) has changed how we live, work, and even how we manage our health. A new study from King’s College London has revealed that one in seven people in the UK now prefer using AI chatbots to get health advice instead of visiting a doctor. This shift shows how quickly technology is changing the way people handle medical problems, but it also creates serious concerns for health experts.

According to the study, 15% of the 2,000 people surveyed have turned to AI for medical guidance. A significant reason for this is the difficulty of getting an appointment; one in four of these users said they chose AI because of long waiting lists for the National Health Service (NHS). However, this reliance on technology comes with risks. The research found that one-fifth of users decided against seeing a doctor because of advice they received from a chatbot, and many felt the AI did not encourage them to seek a professional opinion.

Prof Graham Lord, the lead author of the study, warned that this individual use of chatbots is creating an "unregulated AI healthcare system" that exists alongside the NHS. He noted that while AI offers new opportunities, it also raises major questions about safety and who is responsible when things go wrong. Prof Victoria Tzortziou Brown, president of the Royal College of General Practitioners, stated that it would be "highly concerning" if people used AI as a replacement for a doctor. She explained that while AI can give quick answers, it cannot physically examine a patient, understand their full medical history, or make safe judgments based on evidence.

Beyond the risk of bad medical advice, there is a growing concern about privacy. Many people treat AI chatbots like a therapist or a private diary, sharing deep secrets or personal health details. However, experts warn that these tools are not as private as they seem. According to a report by The Guardian, most chatbot conversations are not truly private. They may be saved for a long time and could even be shared with other people. In the future, these digital conversations could be used as evidence in court cases, similar to how personal diaries are used today.

This issue of misinformation and the "certainty vacuum" is not limited to AI chatbots. As noted by MedPage Today, whenever a new health crisis occurs—such as the recent hantavirus outbreak—the internet often fills with rumors and false claims. Because public health officials often take time to gather facts, influencers and AI tools may step in to provide quick, confident, but often dangerous answers. This creates a cycle where fear leads people to look for immediate solutions, and scammers or unreliable technology take advantage of that fear to spread misinformation.

Public health experts emphasize that technology should support, not replace, the work of trained professionals. While AI can be a useful tool for learning, it is not a substitute for a doctor who can provide care based on a patient's specific needs. The Royal College of General Practitioners encourages patients to use trusted sources, such as official government health websites, and to always contact a healthcare professional if they are worried about their health or if their symptoms do not go away.

Ultimately, the rise of AI in healthcare presents a difficult challenge. As the technology becomes more common, patients must be aware that chatbots can provide inaccurate or misleading information. Furthermore, users should be careful about what they share, remembering that these digital tools are not private spaces. To ensure safety, there must be better regulation and more transparency about how these tools work. Until then, the best advice remains the same: when it comes to your health, always look for the expertise of a real, trained professional.