OpenAI has been rapidly rolling out new features recently. The San Francisco-based artificial intelligence (AI) powerhouse just launched the Sora app for iOS and introduced enhanced third-party app connectivity within ChatGPT. Now, an industry insider claims to have uncovered clues about a potential “clinician mode” within the chatbot. This mode could facilitate specialized healthcare or medical discussions. Intriguingly, it appears OpenAI is also developing a unique “model speaks first” prompt for its voice chat feature.
ChatGPT’s Potential New Healthcare Role
Tibor Blaho, a Lead Engineer at AIPRM, shared new code snippets from ChatGPT’s web version on X (formerly Twitter). These snippets reveal mentions of a new clinician mode, described as a ChatGPT Workspace offering. However, specific details about its functionality remain scarce.
Many online have speculated that this mode will unlock ChatGPT’s capabilities for medical and healthcare consultations. While some ponder if OpenAI is creating a dedicated medical GPT for this purpose, it’s more probable that if a clinician mode materializes, it will be powered by the advanced GPT-5 model itself.
This speculation stems from OpenAI’s earlier statements about GPT-5. When the model was introduced in August, the company emphasized health as a primary focus. They stated, “GPT-5 is our best model yet for health-related questions, empowering users to be informed about and advocate for their health.”
OpenAI also highlighted that, unlike its predecessors, GPT-5 behaves more like an “active thought partner,” capable of proactively identifying potential concerns. The model was also designed to ask clarifying questions, refining its responses based on the user’s context, knowledge level, and geographical location.
The clinician mode could serve as a dedicated platform for these sophisticated functionalities. It would allow users to seek supplementary medical consultations from the chatbot, either before or after visiting a doctor. It’s crucial to remember, however, that OpenAI has consistently stressed that ChatGPT is not a substitute for professional medical advice.
“Speak First” Voice Feature on the Horizon?
Another intriguing detail found in the code strings is a feature labeled “model speaks first prompt.” The tipster believes this will likely be integrated into ChatGPT’s Voice Mode. The description indicates its purpose: “Greet the user in a friendly way. The user’s locale is {locale}, use their language. Be brief – no more than a few words.”
It’s important to exercise caution with these findings. The presence of features in code doesn’t guarantee their public release. Developers frequently leave behind code from discarded projects or include elements still under development that may never see the light of day. Until OpenAI officially confirms these two potential capabilities, it’s best to regard this information as speculative.