I tested America.gov, the government's AI chatbot, on health questions

Key Points:

• At the Make America Healthy Again summit, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. claimed AI can provide patients with superior second opinions and challenged public health experts' authority on vaccines and medical advice.
• The White House launched America.gov as a centralized platform offering official government health information powered by AI, but its answers sometimes reflect conflicting or outdated federal sources.
• America.gov’s AI chatbot showed inconsistencies, such as endorsing a CDC page that recommends against the newborn hepatitis B vaccine despite a federal court order reinstating it, and misrepresenting insulin cost caps by citing outdated pilot programs.
• The chatbot provided accurate emergency advice and clear guidance on topics like raw milk and smoking risks, but its health information should not replace consultation with healthcare professionals.
• The White House stated America.gov will be continuously updated for accuracy, recommending the site mainly for accessing government forms and deadlines rather than complex health queries.