The online doctor or health expert you trust is an AI fake!

Posted by Read & learn & live! @readandlearn, 1 day ago

Any of these articles will do:

https://www.nytimes.com/video/technology/100000011001849/ai-influencers-health-supplements-fake-ads.htmlhttps://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/deepfake-doctors-how-ai-spreads-medical-disinformation-2025a1000pwhhttps://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/jul/27/misleading-ai-generated-doctors-public-safety-danger-tiktokhttps://www.cleveland.com/news/2026/07/fake-ai-doctors-are-taking-over-social-media-heres-how-to-spot-them.html

Mayo Community is not immune. All I will say is that I have observed some bogus medical claims on the forums here "disappear" shortly after being posted. "See something, say something."

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Cancer Support Group.

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | 1 day ago

@readandlearn, you're right. Online forums are often targeted by bots, AI spam and hucksters. Mayo Clinic Connect has several technical safeguards in place and active human moderation to prevent these fake accounts and disinformation from being posted on the forums.

That said, some sly bad actors with negative intentions get through. The best safeguard against those few posts is to have an active community. Many eyes keep these forum safe.

So if any member sees something they suspect is spam or an AI fake, report the post:

How to report a post:
1. Click the three dots (…) in the lower right corner of the comment.
2. Select Report discussion or comment.
3. Write the reason for the report and click SUBMIT.

Here's a quick list of how to connect safely
- Share your story, not medical advice.
- Be real. Don't post AI.
- Always be civil and respectful.
- Stay on topic; no politics or promotions.
- Report concerns.

Read more in the Community Guidelines https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/about-connect/tab/community-guidelines/