A recent study has uncovered a troubling truth: popular AI chatbots can be manipulated to provide health advice that’s dangerously false - and alarmingly persuasive. Researchers tested widely used chatbots and found they could be configured to routinely generate incorrect or misleading responses to common medical queries. Worse, the answers often sounded confident, credible, and authoritative - making it difficult for users to detect misinformation.

The findings have sparked concern among public health experts, who warn that such easily accessible misinformation could lead to harmful real-world consequences. With more people turning to AI for health-related advice, the risk of users acting on false information - such as skipping vaccines or mismanaging chronic conditions - is growing.

The study calls for urgent reforms in AI model design and regulation, pushing for built-in guardrails, stronger oversight, and public awareness campaigns. As AI continues to shape how people seek and receive medical advice, ensuring the reliability and safety of these tools has never been more critical.