Artificial intelligence (AI) has always seemed like a thing of the future, but it has already become a part of our daily lives. With its impressive speed and depth of knowledge, it’s no wonder that millions of people worldwide are utilizing ChatGPT and many other AI tools to answer their questions.
But can ChatGPT be dangerous?
One study found an appalling 52% of ChatGPT answers to be incorrect, and 77% of responses were overly wordy and confusing. The study also found that, unfortunately, users are very drawn to AI answers due to the eloquence in the writing and seem unconcerned about accuracy.
So, yes, chatbots can be dangerous, especially to pet owners.
When you combine the unreliability of AI answers with the public’s love of concise information, you get a recipe for disaster.
Keep reading to learn about pet owner safety regarding AI tools and how to protect your pet.
Large Language Models
Large Language Models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT, Siri, and Alexa have become popular sources of quick answers and recommendations.
However, as convenient as these AI tools may be, people should exercise caution and not unquestioningly trust the information provided.
These models are sophisticated algorithms trained on vast amounts of data to generate human-like text responses.
While they can be incredibly helpful in providing general information, they have limitations and biases that pet owners should be aware of.
The pitfalls of AI tools for pet owners
Unfortunately, chatgpt’s responses still present many issues for pet owners and non-pet owners alike. The information they provide is not necessarily reliable.
One pitfall of AI tools is simply a lack of expertise. These tools are trained using massive amounts of data, but that data may not be from credible sources or vetted by professionals.
This means the information may be incorrect or misleading, which is especially dangerous regarding healthcare.
Just like you shouldn’t trust a random article to make medical decisions for your pet, you shouldn’t trust AI to do the same.
All information on the Internet—where LLMs get their data—should be taken with a grain of salt, especially regarding your pet’s health.
AI tools are good at identifying patterns and generating text similar to what they have been trained on.
However, this can lead to trendy advice that may not be based on scientific evidence and may not apply to all pets. It also won’t consider your dog’s medical history.
AI tools have been shown to struggle with understanding humor and sarcasm, so they could also misinterpret jokes as facts.
One struggle that AI tools have is understanding the nuances of language. They may misinterpret your query, resulting in inaccurate or irrelevant information. That lack of reliability can be life-threatening.
Potentially dangerous answers
Here are some specific examples of incorrect pet-related advice that ChatGPT and other AI tools might give:
Dietary recommendations: AI might erroneously suggest that certain human foods, like chocolate or onions, are safe in small quantities for pets. These foods are highly toxic to dogs and cats and can lead to serious health issues.
Vaccination schedules: Chatgpt’s responses may provide outdated or incorrect information regarding pet vaccination schedules.
For example, it might suggest that a specific vaccine is optional when it is essential for protecting the pet’s health.
Home remedies: OpenAI could recommend home remedies that are not safe or effective for treating common ailments in pets.
For instance, it might suggest using essential oils or over-the-counter medications that could harm animals.
Behavioral issues: If asked about managing a pet’s anxiety, AI models might suggest DIY training techniques that could worsen the problem instead of providing reassurance, like suggesting excessive isolation to “toughen them up.”
Allergy treatments: An AI might incorrectly advise pet owners to give human antihistamines to treat allergies without emphasizing the importance of consulting a vet first. Different pets require specific dosages and may have adverse reactions to human medications.
Mythical practices: Some AI responses may reinforce pet myths, such as the idea that certain breeds are “hypoallergenic” when no breed is completely free of allergens.
Toxic plant identification: Generative AI might inaccurately identify common household plants as safe for pets when they are toxic, like suggesting that certain types of lilies or poinsettias are harmless to cats.
Dental care: Advice on dental care might be overly simplistic. For instance, it may suggest brushing your pet’s teeth with human toothpaste, which can be harmful, instead of recommending specialized pet toothpaste.
When can ChatGPT be helpful?
Some types of questions are more reliable than others when using AI.
While it’s still imperative that you always check other sources, asking very straightforward questions like “Can dogs eat grapes?” should result in correct answers.
AI tools work best with very objective facts, and in this example, you would be hard-pressed to find a source that says “yes” to that question.
Even better would be using ChatGPT for non-medical questions related to your pet, such as requesting toy recommendations.
Unfortunately, most questions are very subjective, and the answer will depend on your pet.
Factors like a pet’s age, weight, breed, and behavior can all play a role in determining the best medical advice for your furry friend. All medical questions should be brought to a veterinarian.
ChatGPT mistakes have consequences
While not related to pets, an embarrassing and costly situation happened in court thanks to ChatGPT.
Two personal injury lawyers arguing on behalf of their client presented past cases and citations to support their case, only to be told by the judge that those sources were fabricated.
It turns out that these lawyers used ChatGPT to do research for their case and didn’t bother to verify the information.
When the judge could not find records of these case examples, the lawsuit was tossed out, and the lawyers were issued a $5,000 fine.
Undoubtedly, all other personal injury lawyers have likely taken note and will steer clear of AI tools.
For this article, we asked AI chatbots for an example of a pet owner who received incorrect information from ChatGPT (we know—very meta).
Here is its response:
“A notable example of the potential risks associated with relying solely on LLM advice occurred when a pet owner sought guidance on managing their dog’s dietary needs. The LLM suggested a homemade diet consisting primarily of raw meat and bones. Unfortunately, the pet owner followed this advice without consulting a veterinarian, leading to severe nutritional deficiencies and health complications for the dog.”
The issue with this response? There’s no way to verify if it’s true.
While it’s a nice anecdote demonstrating the dangers of AI tools for pet owners, no source is cited, and the story is likely fabricated.
You can read about plenty of other ChatGPT fails, proving that Open AI tools can fail at even simple things like counting and math.
So, while they can be used for fun, they should not be used to get medical advice (or legal).
Reduce your ChatGPT risk
When using AI tools for dog health information, consider these tips to ensure the advice is reliable to protect your dog’s health:
Check the source: Ensure the information comes from reputable veterinary organizations or pet health websites.
Consult your veterinarian: Always verify AI-generated information with your veterinarian to ensure it’s appropriate for your dog.
Look for scientific evidence: Seek peer-reviewed studies that support the claims.
Evaluate author credentials: Review the qualifications of the authors or experts behind the information.
Cross-reference: Compare findings with multiple trusted sources for consistency.
Watch for sensationalism: Avoid alarmist information; reliable advice is presented neutrally.
Use trusted platforms: Choose AI tools veterinarians endorse that focus on pet health.
Monitor your dog: Watch your dog’s response to new advice or treatment. Following these guidelines can help ensure your dog’s health information is safe and effective.
Always check with your vet
For several reasons, consulting a veterinarian for pet-related medical advice is essential to ensure best practices.
Veterinarians have the training and expertise to accurately diagnose and treat pet health issues with tailored recommendations specific to each pet’s needs.
Pets often show subtle signs of illness that can be easily misinterpreted. A veterinarian can perform thorough examinations and diagnostic tests to identify underlying problems early on, which is crucial for effective treatment.
Veterinarians also offer guidance on preventive care, including vaccinations, diet, and behavior, ensuring your pet maintains optimal health.
Overall, seeking professional advice from a veterinarian is vital for making informed decisions and ensuring your pet’s well-being.
A veterinary consultation ensures you can return to your vet for follow-up care.
Stay vigilant
It can be tempting to ask ChatGPT your pet-related questions instead of going down a research rabbit hole or calling your vet, but your pet’s health is at stake. LLMs can regurgitate vast amounts of data but are no replacement for a health professional.
Some new AI tools are emerging just for pet owners, such as Pearl, where you can have your answers verified by a vet.
Remember—your vet’s office is the best place to ask pet-related questions. It’s better to be safe than sorry.
Sharon Feldman is a safety and legal writer based in San Diego. She can be found at the beach with her dog Noodles when not writing.