Hajra Naz
Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, recently warned consumers in a podcast. According to him, using ChatGPT as a therapist or counselor does not provide any legal privacy.
Altman identified a significant void in the current legal system when asked how AI fits into it. He clarified that there isn’t presently a structure of laws or policies protecting user communications with AI tools. This implies that whatever you divulge to ChatGPT, particularly private or sensitive information, is not legally protected.
Altman likened it to going to the doctor. Confidentiality laws protect the information you provide to a doctor or therapist. However, there is no such legal protection with ChatGPT. The chatbot is not a licensed professional, and your conversations with it are not covered by privacy laws like doctor-patient confidentiality.
“If you talk to ChatGPT about sensitive topics,” Altman said, “there’s no legal guarantee your words are kept private.”
Before sharing private problems with AI tools, he advised users to exercise caution. Altman stated that although ChatGPT has numerous benefits, it shouldn’t take the place of actual therapy or mental health assistance. He asserted,
“AI is powerful, but we must understand its limits.”
Many people now use AI for self-diagnosis and mental health advice. Some also turn to it for emotional support. This is why the warning matters. Experts say this trend can be risky. They urge users to read the privacy policy. They also remind users that ChatGPT is not a licensed therapist.
Instead, anyone struggling with serious issues should reach out to a qualified therapist, doctor, or counselor. AI can be a useful resource, but it’s no substitute for human care.
