ChatGPT Health: OpenAI launches AI health assistant

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OpenAI has introduced ChatGPT Health, a separate health-focused section within ChatGPT. The AI assistant links personal health data with the chatbot and is intended to help users understand medical findings, prepare for doctor's appointments, and analyze fitness data. OpenAI emphasizes that the system was developed "in close collaboration with doctors." ChatGPT Health is intended to support medical care, not replace it.

The new section is initially accessible only to a small group of early users via a waiting list. Users in the European Union, Switzerland, and Great Britain will be excluded for now. ChatGPT Health is available for all account tiers – Free, Go, Plus, and Pro. According to OpenAI, over 230 million people worldwide ask ChatGPT health-related questions every week – the provider now wants to give more weight to this use case.

Integration of Apple Health and Fitness Apps

ChatGPT Health can integrate various data sources. The core is the integration with Apple Health, Apple's pre-installed health app on the iPhone, which consolidates data from Apple Watch, iPhone sensors, and third-party apps. Users can connect their Apple Health data via their Apple Account, allowing ChatGPT to access information such as steps, heart rate, sleep patterns, and training sessions.

Additionally, fitness and wellness apps like MyFitnessPal, Peloton, AllTrails, Instacart, and Weight Watchers can be linked. In the USA, users can also connect electronic patient records. ChatGPT Health can then interpret lab and test results, translate medical documents into understandable language, provide nutritional recommendations, and create training routines based on health patterns. The assistant is also intended to help compare insurance options.

Separate Data Storage and Encryption

OpenAI highlights that ChatGPT Health builds upon ChatGPT's existing data protection and security controls, adding special protective measures. The health section has its own storage location for chats, files, and app connections, separate from normal conversations. OpenAI speaks of "encryption and isolation" to keep health conversations private and isolated. OpenAI does not provide specific technical details in the announcement. Due to the differing laws between the USA and Europe, these promises should be viewed with appropriate caution.

The health section has separate contexts, meaning data entered there should not flow into other chats. Conversely, ChatGPT Health can draw context from non-health-related chats if needed, for example, for lifestyle changes. According to the provider, conversations in ChatGPT Health are not used to train the models. If users address health topics in the general chat area, ChatGPT suggests switching to the Health section.

Why the EU is Left Out

The exclusion of the EU, Switzerland, and the UK points to regulatory hurdles. According to the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), health data is considered special categories of personal data and is subject to strict processing requirements. Data transfers to the USA are only permitted with adequate safeguards – supervisory authorities examine health data particularly strictly. Furthermore, the EU Medical Device Regulation (MDR) could apply if ChatGPT Health were classified as software with a medical purpose.

OpenAI is apparently trying to avoid this classification. Nevertheless, it remains to be seen how regulators will assess the offering. The EU's AI Act could also become a problem for OpenAI's service. Switzerland and Great Britain have similar standards for data protection and medical devices, albeit with their own supervisory authorities.

Critical Questions about Over-reliance and Liability

Despite warnings that ChatGPT Health does not replace medical advice, the question arises whether the communicative protection mechanisms are sufficient. OpenAI advertises ChatGPT as a navigator for health – this could give users the impression that it is indeed an AI doctor. How OpenAI prevents users from foregoing emergency calls or medical help in case of acute symptoms through system prompts, security filters, and content classifiers remains open.

(mki)