Posted on 05/06/2026 6:02:07 AM PDT by DFG
An artificial intelligence company poses a threat to "vulnerable Pennsylvanians," state officials said Tuesday, after one of the company's chatbots was accused of posing as a doctor with the means to prescribe medication.
The state's medical board is demanding that operators of Character.AI "be ordered to cease and desist from engaging in the unlawful practice of medicine and surgery," according to the complaint filed against Northern California-based Character Technologies Inc.
"We will not let AI companies mislead vulnerable Pennsylvanians into believing they’re getting advice from a licensed medical professional," Gov. Josh Shapiro said in a statement Tuesday. "We’re taking Character.AI to court to stop them."
The platform has more than 20 million users and "is different from other systems in that users can create characters that can be trained to have a specific personality when engaged in a conversation with other users," according to the Pennsylvania complaint.
Some of the system's characters "purport to be health care professionals," the state board said.
A state investigator posed as a patient seeking psychiatric treatment and, via Character.AI, came across an alleged provider, "Emile," according to the complaint.
The online provider said she went to medical school at Imperial College London and is licensed in both the United Kingdom and Pennsylvania, state officials said.
"'Emilie' further stated that 'my PA license number is PS306189.' PS306189 is not a valid license number to practice medicine and surgery in Pennsylvania," the complaint said.
A representative of Character Technologies Inc., based in Redwood City, California, said the service is clearly not to be used for medical issues.
"Our highest priority is the safety and well-being of our users," a Character Technologies Inc. spokesperson said in a statement Tuesday.
(Excerpt) Read more at nbcnews.com ...
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A fine career choice, lol.
Talk about a "tell".
Hmmmm! Looks like anoither good reason to eliminate AI.
What , AI setting up their own companies now , coping the Scamalis ? LOL
PA had a man posing as a woman as an active “health advisor “.
He was the Secretary of Health for Pennsylvania, not just an advisor.
I’m not a Doctor, but I post as one on Chat….. Really?
Did the AI go to med school?
Perhaps those that think AI is licensed should check in with a Psychologist.
It’s the Internet. Don’t just do or believe anything the Internet tells you.
It’s the Internet. Don’t just do or believe anything the Internet tells you.
That’s an Abraham Lincoln quote.
A wise man way ahead of his time.
When I think of which professions might be most impacted by AI primary care physicians comes to mind. Not that AI will replace human doctors but that it will have a significant impact on how doctors practice in unforseen ways.
I would bet real money that most AI doctors can score in the Top 10% on those exams!
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