Overview

• Warren Tierney, 37, from Killarney, used ChatGPT for months about throat pain and swallowing trouble and was told cancer was highly unlikely.
• He was later diagnosed in the emergency department with stage-four oesophageal adenocarcinoma, which carries a reported five to ten percent five-year survival rate.
• Tierney says relying on the AI probably delayed him getting serious medical attention by a couple of months.
• He reports one doctor initially prescribed reflux tablets before his wife urged him to go to A&E, and his family has launched a GoFundMe to pursue treatment abroad after saying Ireland offers only palliative care.
• OpenAI’s tool is reported to state it is not intended to treat health conditions and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.