ECRI has identified the misuse of AI-powered chatbots in healthcare as the top health technology hazard for 2026. These chatbots, based on large language models like ChatGPT, can produce misleading information that may lead to significant patient harm. Instances of incorrect diagnoses, unnecessary testing recommendations, and fictitious medical advice highlight the dangers. Despite their lack of validation for medical use, over 5% of queries to ChatGPT pertain to healthcare, with 25% of its 800 million users asking health-related questions weekly. ECRI stresses the importance of recognizing AI chatbot limitations and emphasizes that they should not replace professional medical advice. The second and third hazards on ECRI’s list include the sudden loss of access to electronic health systems and the prevalence of substandard medical products, respectively. Additionally, concerns about slow communication regarding device recalls and cybersecurity threats from legacy medical devices remain significant issues in healthcare technology.
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