Before you go about your day, take a moment to consider the implications of uploading your personal medical information to AI chatbots. Many individuals are now using generative AI chatbots like OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini to seek advice on their health concerns and gain a better understanding of their medical conditions. Some have even resorted to using questionable apps that utilize AI to assess if someone has a disease in their genital area. Recently, users on a social media platform have been prompted to upload their X-rays, MRIs, and PET scans to an AI chatbot called Grok to interpret their medical results.
Medical data is highly sensitive information that is protected by federal regulations, which means that the decision to share this data ultimately lies with the individual. However, just because you have the option to share your medical data doesn’t necessarily mean that you should. Security and privacy advocates have consistently cautioned against uploading sensitive information to AI models, as this data could potentially be used to train AI algorithms and compromise your privacy in the future.
Generative AI models rely on the data they receive to enhance their accuracy and performance. While the intention behind uploading medical data is to improve the AI model’s ability to interpret medical scans, there is often ambiguity surrounding how this data is utilized and who it is shared with. Furthermore, consumer apps like these are typically not covered under healthcare privacy laws, leaving your uploaded data vulnerable to misuse.
Elon Musk, the owner of the social media platform, has encouraged users to submit their medical imagery to Grok, emphasizing that the AI model is still in its early stages but has the potential to become highly accurate over time. However, the lack of transparency regarding who has access to this data raises concerns about the privacy and security of users’ medical information. The platform’s privacy policy vaguely states that personal information may be shared with undisclosed “related” companies.
It’s crucial to remember that once information is uploaded to the internet, it can never truly be erased. Therefore, it is essential to exercise caution when sharing sensitive medical data with AI chatbots, as the potential risks to privacy and security are significant. If you have any concerns about the privacy of your medical information, it is advisable to seek advice from trusted healthcare professionals rather than relying on AI chatbots.
