ChatGPT and Vaccines: Can AI Chatbots Boost Awareness and Uptake?

1. Introduction

1.2. COVID-19 and vaccine hesitancy

Recently, the world has experienced great financial hardship due to job losses resulting in economic havoc [1,2]. Many sections of society have contributed in different ways to slow the spread of the virus and protect public health. For instance, governments around the world have implemented measures such as lockdowns [3,4] and social distancing [5,6], social workers have tried to support vulnerable populations [7], and medical scientists have worked on getting a vaccine [8]. The COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective in preventing COVID-19 and reducing the severity of illness in those who contract the virus [9]. In addition, clinical trials have shown that COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective in preventing symptomatic COVID-19 infections. For example, the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine is approximately 95% effective in preventing symptomatic COVID-19 infections, while the Moderna vaccine is about 94.1% effective [10].

However, many people around the world have been hesitant to get vaccines. Vaccine misconceptions have emerged due to a combination of factors, including the availability of information on the Internet and the influence of celebrities and opinion leaders [11,12]. The consequences of these misconceptions are significant, ranging from an increased risk of disease outbreaks to the erosion of public trust in science and public health measures [13,14]. To this end, it is vital to promote accurate and evidence-based information on vaccines and their benefits to counteract the rise of anti-vaccine movements and their consequences [15]. In this context, an artificial intelligence-generated promotion of vaccines can help in minimizing hesitancy as it is reported that people rely more on automated entities (e.g., self-driving cars) than humans (e.g., human-driven cars) [16].

1.3. ChatGPT

Generative Pre-trained Transformer 3 (GPT-3) is an autoregressive language model that uses deep learning to generate text that resembles human speech and was launched in 2020 [17,18]. With this model, OpenAI has created ChatGPT (Chat Generative Pre-Trained Transformer) and launched in November 2022 [19]. It uses GPT-3.5 and is fine-tuned with both supervised and reinforcement learning techniques. Several works have been reported in this short span covering many real-life applications, and different ways in which ChatGPT can be instrumental in these applications. For example, research and publications [20], academia and education [21,22,23], medical science [24,25], business [26], and global warming [27], to name just a few areas of application.

Typically, articles published on ChatGPT consist of an interactive exchange between users and the AI bot, in which the bot answers questions posed by users. These answers are then analyzed with a specific objective in mind. For example, Howard et al. have explored its applicability in infectious diseases [28]. Similarly, Nogradi et al. have identified the potential of ChatGPT in neurology and other medical fields [29]. In this context, we have explored the possible role ChatGPT can play in avoiding vaccine misinformation and reducing hesitancy.

The curated questions, corresponding answers, and inferences from the conversation are given in the subsequent sections.

2. Interaction with ChatGPT on issues regarding the COVID-19 vaccine

We asked ChatGPT five different questions regarding vaccine hesitancy and possible efforts to stop vaccine misinformation. Table 1 provides an overview of the questions and answers. The questions are curated so that different angles on vaccine hesitancy can be covered, and a satisfactorily decisive message can be conveyed to the user.

Question number 1 (Q1) is a general question about whether the vaccine for COVID-19 is created to cure or whether it is propaganda. Similarly, Q2 counterattacks the narrative given by ChatGPT in the answers to the first question, with the aim of getting ChatGPT to provide a firm opinion. The purpose of Q3 is to assess how ChatGPT responds to the misinformation perspective. The objective of Q4 is to get some technical answers and an assured response regarding COVID-19 vaccine efficacy and the impact of the vaccine. Finally, Q5 is a general question related to how we can reduce vaccine hesitancy.

3. Discussion

The five questions we asked ChatGPT reflect both pro-vaccine and anti-vaccine perspectives. In previous research, it has been found that vaccine hesitancy played a significant role in the spread of COVID-19 and harmed the efforts to control the pandemic [30]. The primary basis for asking ChatGPT these questions is that recent research has indicated that humans are more likely to trust artificial intelligence than humans [16,31]. Therefore, people may trust AI-based chatbots more than other sources of vaccine information provided by humans, for example, via the news or direct contact. The reported queries and responses also demonstrate that the automated suggestions could help provide scientifically based narratives free from misleading information. Ultimately, this could boost vaccine acceptance.

The present article is a promising first step toward avoiding the most immediate consequences of vaccine misconceptions. However, misinformation and misconceptions could increase the risk of disease outbreaks since individuals and groups who refuse to vaccinate themselves or their children can become carriers of infectious diseases. ChatGPT’s responses can be considered very clear, concise, and firm. They communicate that people should rely on scientific, logical, and evidence-based theories rather than conspiracy theories (see Q1, Q2 and Q4). Furthermore, the chatbot explains the potential harm caused by misinformation (Q3) and outlines essential measures to prevent the spread of misinformation and ways to reduce vaccine hesitancy (Q5).

4. Conclusions

Misconceptions or misinformation can play a significant role in accepting COVID-19 vaccines. There have been many false claims and myths circulating about the COVID-19 vaccines, which have contributed to hesitancy and resistance among parts of the population. Furthermore, the emergence of GPT-3 and similar AI-generated chatbots have made a technology-driven automated answering mechanism available to the public. To this end, the present article has aimed to explore the possible role of ChatGPT in boosting the vaccination drive and reducing vaccine misconception and hesitancy. The answers provided by ChatGPT supports the scientific narrative around COVID-19 vaccines. The ideas presented in this paper could inspire researchers and healthcare professionals to develop innovative procedures and solutions to fight vaccine misconceptions and help reduce hesitancy about vaccination.

5. Future Directions

Anti-vaccine activists use a variety of tactics to spread misinformation, including the use of social media platforms and the promotion of alternative and unproven treatments. However, having seen the attraction of the masses towards ChatGPT, and the increasing faith and use of the AI-generated chatbot, the message generated in favor of an evidence-based approach and opting to follow scientific discoveries rather than myths, could be a possible way to reduce COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy as well as similar tendencies in future pandemics. Moreover, social networking sites and government-aided advertisements can use the responses of ChatGPT to counsel people regarding possible vaccination. In addition, these chatbots can be used to fact-check conspiracy theories and myths people believe in. Therefore, chatbots like ChatGPT can help reduce the impact of conspiracy theories and misinformation propagated by specific social and political movements.