AI Being Used to Impersonate Doctors:

Earlier this month, the New York Times published an article on the unauthorized use of AI to impersonate doctors, specifically in promoting unproven health products and the like. The Doctors Are Real, but the Sales Pitches Are Frauds - The New York Times

When this happens and a doctor or health care provider discovers it, what is their duty as a professional, and in particular in protecting their licensure, let alone their professional reputation?

Chapter 18.130 of the RCW is the Uniform Disciplinary Act in Washington applies and it does not distinguish between what the public perceives and what the practitioner is in fact putting out there themselves.  For example, RCW 18.130.180(3) concludes that “[a]ll advertising which is false, fraudulent, or misleading” is “conduct, acts, or conditions [that] constitute unprofessional conduct for any license holder” in the state of Washington.  That is not to say the respective Board or Commission would not take into consideration the fact of the impersonation to be a “mitigating” factor that can be applied pursuant to WAC 246-16-890.  However, a practitioner may have to attempt to take some sort of affirmative action, too, to disrupt the unauthorized use, by sending cease and desist letters to the source or at least attempt a takedown request, not only to avoid confusion in the marketplace but to protect one’s professional medical licensure.