Consumer Reports: Should you trust AI chatbots with your health questions?
More people are turning to ChatGPT and other AI tools for health questions. The answers are fast, and they often sound reassuring and trustworthy, but Consumer Reports warns they aren’t always accurate.
Consumer Reports: Should you trust AI chatbots with your health questions? More people are turning to ChatGPT and other AI tools for health questions.
The answers are fast, and they often sound reassuring and trustworthy, but Consumer Reports warns they aren’t always accurate. The answers are fast, and they often sound reassuring and trustworthy, but Consumer Reports warns they aren’t always accurate.
What Happened
If you’re concerned about your health, AI chatbots such as ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot and Google Gemini promise detailed answers in seconds. However, experts say these chatbots aren't always reliable.
Posted 7/30/2026, 9:48:23 AM Updated 7/30/2026, 11:11:51 AM Related 5 on Your Side consumer Consumer Reports health artificial intelligence By Consumer Reports More people are turning to ChatGPT and other AI tools for health.
One survey found 17% of adults ask AI chatbots health questions at least once a month.
Chatbots should never be used in a medical emergency.
Key Details
They can make up facts or mix up important details while confidently presenting their answers as correct information. It’s really hard to know when there are inaccuracies, and these systems do get things wrong.
If you have questions that affect how you act on your own health, talk to your doctor.
Keep your sensitive personal health information private, and always verify what you learn using trusted sources such as MedlinePlus, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or a recognized medical organization.
Consumer Reports’ advice is to use AI as a starting point for information, not for diagnosis or treatment.
Why It Matters
People tend to over-trust AI-generated medical advice, a recent study found. Many respondents couldn’t tell the difference between an AI-generated answer and one from a real doctor.
That means whatever information you tell a chatbot could be used, sold, or even stolen in a data breach.
AI systems are not bound by the same privacy laws as your doctor's offices.
What Reports Say
Coverage of the story so far points to:
Continued reporting by WRAL as more details emerge
