A Florida pastor has filed a lawsuit against OpenAI and its CEO, Sam Altman, following a serious medical incident he attributes to advice received from the company’s artificial intelligence chatbot, ChatGPT. Scott Winters claims that after experiencing severe dizziness, he sought guidance from the AI program, which reportedly reassured him that his symptoms were not cause for concern. Weeks later, Winters was hospitalized with a life-threatening pulmonary embolism.
The legal action accuses OpenAI of negligence and practicing medicine without a license. According to the complaint, the reliance on ChatGPT’s responses delayed critical medical intervention that could have prevented a severe outcome. Winters’ case highlights growing concerns about AI tools being used for medical advice without appropriate safeguards or oversight.
OpenAI has yet to respond publicly to the lawsuit. The company has previously emphasized that its technology is intended to complement, not replace, professional medical consultation and that users should not rely solely on AI for health-related decisions.
This case occurs amid increasing scrutiny of AI applications in sensitive fields such as healthcare, where inaccurate or incomplete information can have serious consequences. Experts note that while AI can assist with general information, it lacks the capability to perform thorough assessments or provide diagnoses that a licensed medical professional would deliver.
Winters’ lawsuit raises questions about the extent of legal responsibility AI developers may have in situations where users act on AI-generated content that affects health outcomes. The issue reflects broader challenges in regulating emerging technologies and ensuring user safety in an evolving digital landscape.
The case remains pending, with further details expected as it proceeds through the legal system.