RFK Jr. Says AI Could ‘Check’ Public Health Officials and Challenge Mask, Vaccine Guidance

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a controversial figure who has faced extensive criticism for promoting medical misinformation, told attendees at a Make America Healthy Again summit on Tuesday that artificial intelligence could be used to "check" or challenge guidance from public health authorities on topics such as masking and vaccines.

One of the things that's going to change is that we're never ever again going to be able to be dominated by public officials who tell us 'Trust the experts,'

If somebody tells you 'Masks work, trust the experts,' AI may tell you otherwise. If somebody tells you that a vaccine will prevent transmission and infection, that you need to take it to protect your grandmother, AI may say it actually doesn't do that.

It really has the capacity to…free us from medical tyranny.

Kennedy suggested AI could amplify perspectives that challenge official guidance and said the technology could act as an independent check on public health messaging. He also implied AI might repeat or echo positions he has previously advanced — including claims about COVID-19 vaccines that public health experts and independent fact-checkers have widely debunked.

His remarks drew attention because of his record on health misinformation; public health experts warn that while AI can be a powerful tool for fact-checking and analysis, it also has the potential to spread or reinforce falsehoods if trained or used improperly. The debate highlights the broader tension over how to govern and deploy AI in health communication: as a potential verifier of expert guidance or, conversely, as a vehicle that can amplify disputed or inaccurate claims.