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Just days after OpenAI’s entry into the space, Anthropic has unveiled healthcare features for Claude that allow the AI to access and analyze sensitive medical records. While this signals a major technological push into life sciences, the move highlights the growing role of AI in high-stakes fields where accuracy and privacy are paramount. The launch positions healthcare as the ultimate testing ground for whether generative AI can safely handle the world's most personal data.
Both tools will allow users to share information from health records and fitness apps, including Apple’s Health app, to personalize health-related conversations.
At the same time, the expansion comes amid heightened scrutiny over whether AI systems can safely interpret medical information and avoid offering harmful guidance.
Claude’s new health records functions are available now in beta for Pro and Max users in the U.S., while integrations with Apple Health and Android Health Connect are rolling out in beta for Pro and Max plan subscribers in the U.S. this week. Users must join a waitlist to access OpenAI’s ChatGPT Health tool.
Eric Kauderer-Abrams, head of life sciences at Anthropic, one of the world’s largest AI companies and rumored to be valued at $350 billion, said Sunday’s announcement represents a step toward using AI to help people handle complex health care issues.
“When navigating through health systems and health situations, you often have this feeling that you’re sort of alone and that you’re tying together all this data from all these sources, stuff about your health and your medical records, and you’re on the phone all the time,” he said. “I’m really excited about getting to the world where Claude can just take care of all of that.”
With the new Claude for Healthcare functions, “you can integrate all of your personal information together with your medical records and your insurance records, and have Claude as the orchestrator and be able to navigate the whole thing and simplify it for you,” Kauderer-Abrams said.
Anthropic also announced new tools for health care providers and expanded its Claude for Life Science offerings that focus on improving scientific discovery.
