Case study links ChatGPT health advice to rare metal poisoning in 60-year-old man
PHILADELPHIA, USA: A newly published medical case study has detailed how health guidance from ChatGPT allegedly contributed to a rare case of bromism, a form of metal poisoning caused by prolonged sodium bromide consumption, in a 60-year-old man according to the report published by NDTV's Gadgets360.
The report, appearing in Annals of Internal Medicine Clinical Cases under the title “A Case of Bromism Influenced by Use of Artificial Intelligence,” describes how the patient developed symptoms including psychosis, paranoia, hallucinations, insomnia, fatigue, ataxia and skin changes after three months of substituting sodium chloride (table salt) with sodium bromide in his diet.
According to the patient, he made the switch after asking ChatGPT for alternatives to sodium chloride. The study suggests that either GPT-3.5 or GPT-4 generated a response listing bromide as an option, without a clear medical warning or follow-up questions about the intended use. While the researchers could not access the original chat log, they note that their own tests with ChatGPT 3.5 produced similar answers.
Medical staff diagnosed bromism after sedation, toxicology testing and consultation with the Poison Control Department and the man's symptoms improved after three weeks of treatment.
The authors have cautioned that AI chatbots can produce scientific inaccuracies, lack critical medical judgment and spread misinformation. OpenAI, when contacted, pointed to its terms of use, which explicitly warn users not to rely on ChatGPT as a substitute for professional advice.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Couple, son 'hacked' to death over witchcraft suspicion in Jharkhand's Palamu
Medininagar (PTI): A couple and their 18-year-old son were allegedly hacked to death over suspicion of practising witchcraft in Jharkhand's Palamu, police said on Sunday.
Their minor daughter was also injured in the attack late on Saturday, a police officer said.
The bodies were recovered from their house on Sunday in Panki police station area, he said.
“Initial investigation suggests that the case is related to witchcraft suspicion,” Manoj Kumar Jha, Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) of Lesliganj told PTI.
A manhunt is on to nab the culprits, Jha said.
The girl suffered severe injuries and has been admitted to a government hospital, he said.
The deceased have been identified as Vijay Bhuiyan (45), his wife Kalia Devi (40), and their son Chotu Bhuiyan.
The bodies have been sent to Medinirai Medical College and Hospital (MMCH) for post-mortem examination.
