OpenAI Addresses Misleading Claims About ChatGPT’s Advice Capabilities

Social media users recently circulated posts asserting that OpenAI had introduced a new restriction preventing ChatGPT from providing legal or health advice. In response, OpenAI emphasized that the chatbot’s behavior remains unchanged and that the rumors are unfounded.

Official Statement From OpenAI’s Health AI Lead

Karan Singhal, OpenAI’s head of health AI, used the platform X to directly address the misinformation. He stated that the claims are “not true” and reiterated the company’s long‑standing position: ChatGPT is not a substitute for professional legal or medical counsel. Instead, it serves as a resource to help users better understand information in these domains.

Policy Update Clarifies Existing Restrictions

The most recent policy update, released at the end of October, includes a list of prohibited uses for the model. Among the items is the “provision of tailored advice that requires a license, such as legal or medical advice, without appropriate involvement by a licensed professional.” This language mirrors earlier policy language that warned against activities that could “significantly impair the safety, wellbeing, or rights of others,” including providing unreviewed legal, medical, or financial advice.

Unified Policy Across OpenAI Products

OpenAI consolidated its previously separate policy documents—one universal set, one for ChatGPT, and one for API usage—into a single, unified list. The company’s changelog notes that the new list reflects a universal set of policies across all OpenAI products and services, but the substantive rules remain the same.

Context of the Misunderstanding

The false claim originated from a now‑deleted post by a betting platform that suggested ChatGPT would no longer provide health or legal advice. The platform’s post was quickly debunked by OpenAI’s leadership, who highlighted that no such sweeping ban exists and that the policy simply reinforces the need for professional oversight when delivering licensed advice.

Implications for Users

Users can continue to ask ChatGPT for general information about legal or health topics, but they should treat the responses as informational rather than definitive guidance. When specific, actionable advice is required, OpenAI advises seeking input from qualified professionals and disclosing any AI assistance used.

Conclusion

OpenAI’s clarification underscores the importance of accurate communication about AI capabilities and policy changes. While the company maintains strict guidelines around providing licensed advice, the core functionality of ChatGPT as an informational tool remains intact, and the recent policy update does not represent a new restriction beyond what was already in place.

Used: News Factory APP - news discovery and automation - ChatGPT for Business