Navigating the Peril of Generated Alternative Facts: A ChatGPT-4
  Fabricated Omega Variant Case as a Cautionary Tale in Medical Misinformation
Malik Sallam Jan Egger Rainer Roehrig Behrus Puladi
In an era where artificial intelligence (AI) intertwines with medical
research, the delineation of truth becomes increasingly complex. This study
ostensibly examines a purported novel SARS-CoV-2 variant, dubbed the Omega
variant, showcasing 31 unique mutations in the S gene region. However, the real
undercurrent of this narrative is a demonstration of the ease with which AI,
specifically ChatGPT-4, can fabricate convincing yet entirely fictional
scientific data. The so-called Omega variant was identified in a fully
vaccinated, previously infected 35-year-old male presenting with severe
COVID-19 symptoms. Through a detailed, albeit artificial, genomic analysis and
contact tracing, this study mirrors the rigorous methodology of genuine case
reports, thereby setting the stage for a compelling but entirely constructed
narrative. The entire case study was generated by ChatGPT-4, a large language
model by OpenAI. The fabricated Omega variant features an ensemble of
mutations, including N501Y and E484K, known for enhancing ACE2 receptor
affinity, alongside L452R and P681H, ostensibly indicative of immune evasion.
This variant's contrived interaction dynamics - severe symptoms in a vaccinated
individual versus mild ones in unvaccinated contacts - were designed to mimic
real-world complexities, including suggestions of antibody-dependent
enhancement (ADE). While the Omega variant is a product of AI-generated
fiction, the implications of this exercise are real and profound. The ease with
which AI can generate believable but false scientific information, as
illustrated in this case, raises significant concerns about the potential for
misinformation in medicine. This study, therefore, serves as a cautionary tale,
emphasizing the necessity for critical evaluation of sources, especially in an
age where AI tools like ChatGPT are becoming increasingly sophisticated and
widespread in their use.