Patient advocates and medical associations in Cyprus warn against AI-driven self-diagnosis

On August 18, 2026, the Cyprus Federation of Patient Associations (OSAK) and the Cyprus Medical Association (PIS) issued warnings regarding the use of artificial intelligence for medical diagnoses. Miltos Miltiadous, President of OSAK, and Petros Agathangelou, President of PIS, emphasized that while AI tools are becoming a subject of discussion within the medical community, they should not replace professional medical advice.

Although Miltiadous stated that OSAK has not yet received formal complaints regarding AI-related misdiagnoses, he warned that patients frequently rely on AI applications and internet searches to interpret symptoms. He stressed that the Personal Doctor within the GeSY (General Healthcare System) remains the only reliable source for medical guidance. The officials urged patients to exercise extreme caution, noting that AI-generated diagnostic information can be misleading or inaccurate compared to clinical assessment.

This advisory highlights the increasing tension between digital health advancements and traditional patient care. While the medical community continues to monitor the integration of these technologies, the primary directive remains for patients to consult their doctors for symptom management to avoid the potential risks associated with automated or unverified digital diagnosis.