More than 40 million people worldwide now use ChatGPT for healthcare-related questions, highlighting how generative AI is increasingly filling gaps in access, affordability, and availability of medical information is. According to a new OpenAI report, roughly 5% of all ChatGPT messages globally relate to healthcare. Ranging from symptom checks and treatment questions to insurance appeals and billing disputes. At current usage levels, this translates to over 125 million health-related queries per day, underscoring the scale at which AI is becoming a first-line resource for medical guidance.
The trend reflects broader changes in how people interact with technology. Prior research from Harvard Business Review found that psychological support was among the most common uses of generative AI. Hence, reinforcing the idea that chatbots are evolving beyond search tools into always-available digital companions. Notably, around 70% of healthcare conversations occur outside normal clinic hours, pointing to AI’s appeal as a 24/7 source of information when professional care is unavailable.
This surge in AI-assisted healthcare coincides with mounting financial pressure. In the United States, the expiration of pandemic-era Affordable Care Act subsidies has driven average premium increases of more than 100% for over 20 million enrollees, pushing some users—particularly younger or uninsured individuals—toward chatbots as a lower-cost alternative.
However, experts warn of significant risks. Generative AI systems can hallucinate, producing confident but inaccurate medical advice. A recent physician-led study found that leading models returned dangerously incorrect responses in about 13% of tested medical queries. While OpenAI says it is working to improve safety mechanisms, researchers stress that AI should not replace professional medical judgment.
Key takeaways for tech and healthcare leaders:
- AI is becoming a large-scale, informal entry point to healthcare information
- Financial and access pressures are accelerating adoption
- Safety, accuracy, and clear usage boundaries remain unresolved challenges
For now, generative AI may help users navigate basic questions or healthcare bureaucracy, but experts emphasize it should be treated cautiously—more as a starting point than a trusted medical authority.
Source:
https://www.zdnet.com/article/chatgpt-generative-ai-healthcare-advice-widespread-how-safe/
