AI chatbots are not doctors

The article from The Star, published on June 21, 2026, addresses the increasing reliance of the public on artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots for health-related inquiries. Many individuals are now turning to these AI tools to check symptoms, gain clarity on medical reports, and learn about various medications and traditional remedies. This trend, particularly observed in Malaysia, has prompted a significant discussion among healthcare professionals regarding the appropriate role and limitations of AI in patient care. While medical practitioners, including doctors, pharmacists, and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) practitioners, recognize the potential of AI as a valuable educational resource, they issue a strong warning: AI-provided information should never be considered a substitute for a professional medical diagnosis. A primary concern is the risk that patients might delay seeking timely medical attention, especially if AI offers seemingly reassuring advice that could be misleading. Such delays can have severe consequences for conditions like dengue, stroke, heart attack, or cancer, where early intervention is crucial. Experts highlight that AI chatbots, despite their sophistication, lack the fundamental capabilities of human medical professionals. They cannot perform physical examinations, conduct investigations, or apply nuanced clinical judgment that considers a patient's unique medical history and individual circumstances. For instance, two patients presenting with similar symptoms might require vastly different treatment approaches, a distinction that AI may not accurately discern. The Malaysian Medical Association president, Datuk Dr Thirunavukarasu Rajoo, notes that while patients are more informed today, the core issue is not necessarily incorrect AI answers, but rather the potential for patients to delay professional care based on AI's output. Furthermore, the article points out that AI models base their reasoning on internet-available information, which can be a mix of accurate and inaccurate data. This underscores the need for "AI literacy" alongside health literacy, as users must understand the limitations of these tools. Pharmacists report instances where patients seek verification for AI-generated information or explanations for discrepancies between AI advice and professional recommendations. The consensus among healthcare providers is that AI serves as a tool to help patients understand their health better and formulate questions for their doctors, but it cannot replace the comprehensive assessment, diagnosis, and personalized care provided by a human clinician.