Pastor Scott Winters has sued OpenAI and CEO Sam Altman, alleging that ChatGPT provided "extremely dangerous medical recommendations" regarding his pulmonary embolisms. The lawsuit claims the AI's advice led to delayed treatment, with the chatbot reportedly downplaying his symptoms and suggesting his church members who urged him to seek medical care "simply don't understand."

Winters' suit accuses OpenAI of negligence and the "unauthorized practice of medicine," citing instances where the chatbot offered diagnoses and treatment plans, even advising him to disregard pleas for professional help. The lawsuit seeks financial damages and an injunction to halt ChatGPT Health operations until deemed safe, demanding stronger guardrails against medical advice.

OpenAI's terms of service state the service is not for medical diagnoses, though the company encourages health document uploads for discussion and highlights significant user engagement with health inquiries. Winters survived but faces extensive recovery. This lawsuit follows similar ones alleging ChatGPT provided harmful advice, including a wrongful death suit over a drug overdose and another concerning teen suicide.