OpenAI has formally prohibited ChatGPT from offering specific medical, legal, or financial advice, marking a sharp policy reversal aimed at minimizing liability exposure across its expanding user base. The change, which took effect on October 29, redefines the popular AI system as an "educational tool" rather than a "consultant," according to reporting by NEXTA.
NEXTA noted that "regulations and liability fears squeezed it - Big Tech doesn't want lawsuits on its plate." The move signals OpenAI's attempt to preempt litigation risks that could arise from users treating ChatGPT's outputs as professional advice in high-stakes contexts such as healthcare, law, and finance.
Under the new rules, the AI model is barred from naming medications or giving dosages, drafting lawsuit templates, or providing investment tips or buy/sell recommendations. Instead, ChatGPT will now "only explain principles, outline general mechanisms and tell you to talk to a doctor, lawyer or financial professional," NEXTA reported.
The changes underscore growing concern about the misuse of AI systems for personal decision-making. Health-related prompts remain one of the most sensitive areas. Users reporting symptoms such as "I have a lump on my chest" could previously receive speculative answers - sometimes suggesting cancer - without any clinical basis. In contrast, a licensed physician can conduct physical exams, order diagnostic tests, and carry malpractice insurance; ChatGPT cannot.
The risks extend beyond physical health. Some users have sought therapy-like conversations with the chatbot, but the system "has zero capacity for genuine empathy" and lacks the legal safeguards required of mental-health professionals. In the U.S., users in crisis are still urged to dial 988 or contact local hotlines for qualified support.
Financial and legal topics now face identical restrictions. ChatGPT can still define terms such as ETFs but is no longer allowed to assess users' debt ratios or retirement portfolios. Privacy concerns also loom large: entering details like bank account numbers or Social Security data could expose sensitive information to third-party servers during model training.
Even with its browsing feature introduced in late 2024, ChatGPT remains unreliable for real-time or high-stakes decisions. The model cannot track breaking news continuously or respond to emergencies - a limitation that makes it unsuitable for urgent or dynamic scenarios such as carbon monoxide leaks or fast-moving stock markets.
Beyond banned topics, OpenAI's policy shift also reflects broader ethical unease about AI's role in academia and art. Universities are reinforcing anti-cheating measures, with platforms like Turnitin detecting "ChatGPT voice" patterns. Meanwhile, debates continue over the legitimacy of AI-generated creative work, with some critics arguing it undermines human originality.
