Ex-intelligence Officer Says Grok AI Could Expose Your Health Data — Musk Encourages Uploads Anyway
Elon Musk has told the public to upload their medical information to his AI platform, Grok. He claimed the tool could give a 'second opinion' on health problems. This time, it stirred reactions that came from concern, especially since Grok has a history of generating offensive and unsafe content.Former intelligence officer Travis Akers warned that sharing sensitive health data with AI is very risky. Experts say users could lose control of private information. They also stress that AI is not a replacement for doctors. Privacy and safety should come before convenience when it comes to healthcare.Grok's Troubled PastGrok has been criticised for generating harmful content. It has posted anti-semitic statements and inappropriate images, including some of underage people. Despite this, Musk has praised the AI publicly. He recently suggested on X that users could 'take a picture of your medical data or upload the file to get a second opinion from Grok.'
Some users say they have received accurate diagnoses for rare conditions. But experts caution that the risks are far greater than the benefits.According to the LAD Bible, Bradley Malin, a professor of biomedical informatics at Vanderbilt University, said: 'Posting personal information to Grok is more like, "Wheee! Let's throw this data out there, and hope the company is going to do what I want them to do."'It is also worth noting that AI does not follow the same privacy rules as hospitals.Intelligence Experts Warn Strongly
Travis Akers, a former intelligence officer, issued a sharp warning. He wrote on X: 'Nobody, and I repeat, absolutely nobody should ever upload their medical information into an AI platform. I am telling you this as a former intelligence officer.'
Akers explained that sensitive data could be stolen or shared without consent. Unlike doctors, AI companies are not bound by strict legal rules. Files could be stored forever or fall into the wrong hands. Users risk exposing their most private health details to strangers.Musk Keeps Pushing AI Health AdviceThis is not the first time Musk has suggested using Grok for health. In 2024, he encouraged people to upload X-rays, MRIs and PET scans. He said the platform was 'still early stage, but it is already quite accurate and will become extremely good.' Users were invited to report errors to improve it.Experts warn this is risky. AI cannot fully understand a patient's health history or detect complex conditions. Mistakes could cause stress or delay proper treatment.But the idea of quick, cheap medical advice is tempting. In the US, healthcare costs are high. Waiting for a doctor can take weeks. Some people hope AI can fill the gap.However, experts stress caution. Malin said: 'This is very personal information, and you don't exactly know what Grok is going to do with it.' Most agree: it is safer to trust a human doctor than an AI platform.Musk's push raises bigger questions about privacy and AI. Not all technology is safe to use with sensitive health information. Users must weigh convenience against the risk of exposing private medical data. Besides, all AI platforms have a history of giving incorrect medical advice.AI Isn't Always Right About Your HealthEarlier this year, Google's AI health summaries gave incorrect guidance. One case involved pancreatic cancer patients. The AI advised avoiding high-fat foods. This goes against medical guidance and could harm patients.Specialists warned it might make people too weak for treatment. In another case, liver disease information was misleading. Some patients could wrongly think they were healthy.
Google removed these AI health summaries while fixing the errors. Experts say this shows why AI should never replace real doctors.
