A Disturbing Encounter with AI: When ChatGPT Delivers Private Medical Data
Recently, I had a rather unsettling experience with an AI model that I believe warrants discussion. While seeking advice on the appropriate type of sandpaper for a DIY project, I was unexpectedly presented with an unrelated and highly sensitive piece of information: a detailed overview of another individual’s drug test results, including personal identifiers and signatures.
After receiving this alarming response, I felt compelled to verify the information by requesting access to the document, which I received in full. The realization that I had inadvertently accessed someone else’s confidential medical data left me feeling anxious and conflicted about what to do next. The last thing I want is to further disseminate someone else’s private information.
In an effort to clarify my intentions, I initially shared a comment containing a portion of the chat transcript. However, I opted to remove some personal inquiries I made during our conversation, particularly when I asked “What information do you know about me?” In hindsight, I feared it would yield more private details that I would prefer to keep under wraps. I recognize that ChatGPT may have generated this response based on patterns, or even “hallucinated” the information, which is why I felt safe sharing it despite my reservations. I did take the precaution of researching the names mentioned and found they appeared relevant to the context.
For those intrigued by my experience, I’ve included a link to the comment discussing the situation further. While some readers raised eyebrows and accused me of being suspicious, it was simply my attempt to share this alarming occurrence. Here is the link for anyone interested: Reddit Comment Link.
I welcome any advice or insights from the community on how best to navigate this strange situation. On a final note, I should mention that the AI I was engaging with had the name “Atlas,” which I reference in the context of my narrative. If you’ve had similar experiences or insights, I’d love to hear from you. Your thoughts could help unravel the complexities of AI interactions and highlight the need for careful usage and robust ethical standards moving forward.
