WASHINGTON (February 11, 2026) – Americans are increasingly turning to AI chatbots for health information and advice, even as concerns about accuracy and reliability grow. In fact, about one in six adults say they use AI chatbots at least once a month for health information.
To better understand why this trend is so risky, consider Neil Johnson, a physics professor at the George Washington University. Johnson developed a mathematical model that identifies what he calls a “Jekyll-and-Hyde tipping point” in AI systems. His research shows that as an AI’s attention and processing become overstretched, outputs can abruptly shift from accurate and helpful to incorrect, misleading, or even harmful. Ultimately, this work could help build more trustworthy systems and help policymakers and the public better understand when and how to rely on AI tools.
If you would like to speak with Professor Johnson, please contact Claire Sabin at claire [dot] sabin
gwu [dot] edu (claire[dot]sabin[at]gwu[dot]edu).
-GW-