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A Florida pastor is seeking damages from OpenAI and its CEO, Sam Altman, after alleging that the company's AI chatbot, ChatGPT, gave him dangerous medical advice. Scott Winters, 55, claims the chatbot repeatedly assured him he did not require medical attention for symptoms like dizziness and unstable blood pressure in the weeks leading up to a severe pulmonary embolism.

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ChatGPT is not a doctor and should never be used as a substitute for medical care, diagnosis or treatment.

The lawsuit, filed in San Francisco County Superior Court, states that ChatGPT advised Winters to remain at home in his recliner, despite his condition worsening. Doctors later diagnosed him with multiple blood clots in both lungs, a life-threatening condition. The complaint further alleges that the chatbot incorporated references to Winters' Christian faith into its responses, such as "God did not design your body to endlessly fail," which reinforced his belief that he would recover without professional help.

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God did not design your body to endlessly fail

Winters' legal team argues that the AI's authoritative tone and religious references fostered an unhealthy dependence, leading him to ignore advice from family and friends who urged him to seek medical treatment. The lawsuit seeks financial compensation and requests that OpenAI implement stricter safeguards to prevent similar incidents. OpenAI spokesperson Drew Pusateri emphasized that ChatGPT is not a medical professional and should not substitute for medical care, though he noted AI could potentially improve how people access health information online.

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God is still holding your body together, every heartbeat, every breath, even when it feels like you are on the brink.