OpenAI has launched a new feature called ChatGPT Health, aimed at helping users manage and understand their health by integrating medical records and wellness applications with the chatbot. This initiative allows individuals to link their health information with the capabilities of ChatGPT, enhancing their ability to navigate health-related inquiries.
Fidji Simo, CEO of applications at OpenAI, stated in an announcement, “ChatGPT Health is another step toward turning ChatGPT into a personal super-assistant that can support you with information and tools to achieve your goals across any part of your life.” The company clarified that this feature is not designed for diagnostic or treatment purposes, emphasizing that it is intended to complement, rather than replace, professional medical care.
Privacy and Collaboration with Physicians
According to OpenAI, health inquiries are already among the most frequent uses of ChatGPT, with over 230 million users worldwide seeking information on health and wellness each week. The development of ChatGPT Health involved collaboration with more than 260 physicians to ensure the feature meets user needs while prioritizing privacy.
The company has implemented stringent privacy measures, including dedicated encryption and data isolation for health information. Conversations regarding health, along with any files and connected applications, will be stored separately from other interactions within the chatbot. OpenAI also assured users that their health data will not be utilized to train its foundational models.
Connecting Health Data and Wellness Apps
Users can integrate their medical records from various wellness apps, including Apple Health, MyFitnessPal, Weight Watchers, and Function. OpenAI has partnered with b.well to provide secure access to health records from U.S. healthcare providers.
The process of connecting these records and applications requires explicit user consent, and individuals can revoke this access at any time. Currently, ChatGPT Health is being rolled out to a limited group of early users, with plans to broaden access in the upcoming weeks.
As OpenAI continues to innovate within the healthcare space, ChatGPT Health represents a significant advancement in how individuals can leverage technology to manage their health more effectively.
