It was only a matter of time before OpenAI came for more of your data. ChatGPT Health is the latest new function for the AI chatbot, one that “securely brings your health information and ChatGPT’s intelligence together,” according to the company.
OpenAI is clear that the new addition to ChatGPT’s repertoire isn’t supposed to replace your doctor in any way. What OpenAI says and what people actually do with the new Health function is another matter entirely.
ChatGPT Health, check
ChatGPT Health is supposed to tie together all of the various health data-gathering users do. Apple Health, Function, MyFitnessPal, Weight Watchers, AllTrails, Instacart, and Peloton, among others, can be connected to the artificial intelligence platform.
This will allow ChatGPT to “help you understand recent test results, prepare for appointments with your doctor, get advice on how to approach your diet and workout routine, or understand the tradeoffs of different insurance options based on your healthcare patterns.” You know, the stuff that used to involve discernment and understanding of how your body works.
The move makes sense for the company. Loads of users already pepper the chatbot with health questions, so baking in a dedicated suite for that purpose would streamline the process. As with any new software development (from any company) in the age of subscriptions, it’ll also be handy for OpenAI to have a storehouse of new, specific data to play with.
Which, obviously, OpenAI promises not to mistreat. ChatGPT Health will specifically not use conversations to train the company’s foundation models, and the company says it has trained its AI to not retain personal data, but that leaves a lot of open ground that hasn’t been addressed. We’ll have to wait for the full Terms and Conditions™ before seeing whether user health data is subject to any other manipulation once it’s connected to the app.
The new health-harvesting function isn’t live yet, but when it does pop up, users across ChatGPT’s spectrum of tiers will have access. If you want to be one of them, there’s a waitlist you can sign up for.
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In many cases using AI will precisely lead to greater “discernment and understanding of how your body works”. Yes there are risks and yes companies like OpenAI are obviously in it to make money, but this is also a wonderful tool beyond anything we would have imagined possible just a few years ago.