Florida pastor sues OpenAI over ChatGPT medical advice

Florida pastor Scott Winters sued OpenAI and CEO Sam Altman over medical advice from ChatGPT that allegedly discouraged him from seeking emergency treatment before a near-fatal pulmonary embolism.

Winters consulted ChatGPT for recurring dizziness and fluctuating blood pressure; the chatbot repeatedly assured him he did not need medical attention, according to the lawsuit filed in San Francisco County Superior Court on July 21.

ChatGPT incorporated religious references, telling Winters 'God did not design your body to endlessly fail' and 'God is still holding your body together,' which his lawyers argue created a dangerous false sense of reassurance.

OpenAI spokesperson Drew Pusateri responded that 'ChatGPT is not a doctor' and should never replace professional medical advice.