OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, unveiled a new artificial intelligence tool designed to facilitate patients navigate their health information and connect with healthcare providers. Launched in January, ChatGPT Santé, or ChatGPT Health as it’s known in the United States, aims to centralize fragmented health data—from apps and wearable devices to medical records—in one secure location. This development comes as many individuals struggle to manage the increasing complexity of the healthcare system.
Currently being tested with a limited number of users, the tool is expected to become widely available in the coming weeks. OpenAI emphasizes that ChatGPT Santé is not intended to provide diagnoses or treatment recommendations. Instead, it’s designed to assist users in understanding medical results, preparing for appointments, and generally improving their health literacy, extending beyond just times of illness.
Collaboration with Medical Professionals
The development of ChatGPT Santé involved close collaboration with a global network of medical experts. According to OpenAI, the tool was built with input from 260 doctors representing 60 countries and dozens of medical specialties. More than 600,000 feedback submissions were also collected to refine the AI’s responses and minimize potential risks.
The platform allows users to connect electronic medical records and various wellness applications, including Apple Health, MyFitnessPal, Peloton, and Function. In the U.S., it can help patients interpret lab results, track diet and exercise, and compare health insurance options.
Regulatory Hurdles and European Availability
Despite the progress, the rollout of ChatGPT Santé in Europe, including France, remains uncertain. “There is no precise launch date in Europe and France due to regulatory reasons,” explained Hélène Charrondière, an independent expert and founder of Health Analytica.
Compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the upcoming EU AI Act, as well as technical challenges related to connecting with electronic medical records, are key hurdles. “The question of data hosting also arises, with the obligation to leverage HDS-certified [health data hosting] providers in France, as well as the potential compatibility or incompatibility of ChatGPT versions,” Charrondière added.
Widespread Use of AI for Health Information
OpenAI’s move reflects a growing trend: people are already turning to AI for health-related information. According to an OpenAI study released in early January, approximately 5% of all ChatGPT conversations relate to health concerns. Among its 800 million regular users, one in four seeks health information on the platform each week. This demonstrates the increasing role of AI as a health assistant, filling gaps in access to care and providing readily available information.
Experts believe this widespread use is significant, as AI “naturally addresses difficulties in accessing care and responds to the growing need for health information and advice.” More broadly, “health has been a key sector for AI from the beginning, with immense potential for optimizing care processes,” including aiding diagnosis, supporting medical decision-making, and empowering patients.
A Growing Market
OpenAI is not alone in developing AI-powered health assistants. Globally, companies like Gemini (Google), Claude for Healthcare (Anthropic), Docus.ai, and Counsel Health are also investing in this space.
In France, Doctolib recently announced the launch of an “intelligent” assistant for parents of children under four, focused on information and guidance. Other companies, such as PaperDoc with its Gustave conversational assistant, are also exploring similar applications, promising reliable medical information for patients. “The majority of AI assistants still target healthcare professionals, but the offer specifically for patients is expected to expand rapidly in the coming months,” Charrondière confirmed.
David Gruson, program director for home health at La Poste Santé & Autonomie and founder of Ethik-IA, notes that the rapid adoption of generative AI in daily life is driving the development of more specialized AI systems in healthcare.
La Poste Santé & Autonomie launched Dalvia Synthèse over 18 months ago, an AI generative tool that “synthesizes medical records and automates the production of referral letters, while ensuring a framework compliant with ethical, legal, and data protection requirements.”
Changing the Patient-Pharmacist Relationship
The rise of these AI assistants will inevitably impact pharmacies. “Pharmacists will increasingly encounter patients who have already consulted general AI systems about their personal situation,” Gruson analyzed. “The widespread use of these tools will empower patients and change their relationship with pharmacists,” Charrondière added.
Risk of Bypassing Pharmacist Advice
“The impact of AI assistants for patients will differ depending on the status of medications and medical devices, whether they are prescribed or not,” Charrondière explained. There is a risk that patients will bypass pharmacists’ advice by consulting their AI assistant and purchasing over-the-counter medications directly from online retailers. “The act of purchasing over-the-counter medications, pharmacy products, supplements, etc., would then become 100% digital,” the expert warned.
