OpenAI has recently clarified the boundaries of its AI chatbot, ChatGPT, following widespread claims on social media and in various media outlets that the platform had ceased offering legal, medical, and financial advice. The company emphasized that while ChatGPT can provide explanations and general information, it is not designed to offer personalized advice or recommendations in these critical fields. This clarification aligns with OpenAI’s ongoing efforts to refine its policies, balancing user freedom with safety and accountability. The discussion gained traction after media outlet Nexta shared a post on X, stating that ChatGPT had been officially labeled an ‘educational tool’ and would no longer provide specific guidance on treatment, legal issues, or financial matters. OpenAI’s Usage Policies page, last updated on October 29, explicitly prohibits the provision of tailored advice in licensed fields without the involvement of a licensed professional. Karan Singhal, OpenAI’s head of health AI, addressed the confusion on X, stating that this was not a new change and that ChatGPT has always been a resource for understanding legal and health information, not a substitute for professional advice. OpenAI’s policies also restrict the automation of high-stakes decisions in sensitive areas without human review, including legal, medical, financial, housing, employment, and insurance matters. While no major lawsuits have emerged over ChatGPT’s advice, experts believe this clarification underscores the risks of AI in regulated fields. OpenAI’s stance also reflects a broader industry shift toward regulated and accountable AI use, as legal scrutiny on AI deepens. The company is already facing lawsuits from authors, publishers, and media organizations alleging unauthorized use of copyrighted material to train AI models. Experts continue to call for stronger AI regulation, arguing that clear frameworks are essential to prevent misuse in sensitive areas like healthcare, law, and finance. For users, the update reinforces that ChatGPT should be treated as an information aid, not a professional adviser. For regulators and businesses, it marks another step in the industry’s move toward clearer boundaries, as global conversations around AI safety, liability, and governance continue to evolve.
OpenAI clarifies ChatGPT’s limits after viral claims about legal, medical advice
