RFK Jr. says AI supports his vaccine claims, but chatbots disagree

In short: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. claimed AI would back his views on masks, social distancing, and vaccines, but common AI chatbots gave answers that match mainstream medical guidance.

What happened

At a Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) event in Washington, DC, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. talked about artificial intelligence during a “fireside chat” with Vice President JD Vance.

Kennedy said the Trump administration is making it easier for Americans to use AI, and he suggested people could use AI tools to “check” medical advice. He claimed AI is “better informed than any doctor in the country,” and implied it would confirm his long-running claims about vaccines and other public health guidance.

Ars Technica tested that idea by asking two well-known AI chatbots, Google’s Gemini and OpenAI’s ChatGPT, basic questions. When asked whether masks work to reduce the spread of infectious diseases, both said yes, with notes that fit and usage matter. When asked whether social distancing works, both also said yes. When asked whether vaccines can prevent infection and transmission, both said yes, while adding that protection depends on the vaccine and the disease.

Why it matters

Many people treat chatbots like a quick second opinion, like asking a very fast reference librarian. But they can still make mistakes and even “hallucinate” (confidently say something wrong).

This episode also shows that AI does not automatically support a person’s preferred talking points. If public officials encourage people to rely on chatbots for medical decisions, the big risk is confusion, not clarity, especially when real doctors have the full context of a patient’s health.

Source: Arstechnica