A Melbourne woman was left stunned after her dentist called police during a bizarre encounter - all because she didn't want him using artificial intelligence during her appointment.
Caerwin Martin, 52, says the strange situation unfolded during a routine check-up for a toothache, but quickly spiralled when the periodontist asked for her consent to use an AI program to take notes.
Feeling uneasy about her private medical information being uploaded online and concerned about the safety of the software, Ms Martin refused, sparking an extraordinary reaction that left her in disbelief.
'I'm just so shocked,' she told Daily Mail. 'It was just the most bizarre situation. I had the cops called for not wanting to use AI to take my notes.'
'The police officer thought it was quite funny. He walked up and goes, 'what's going on?' This was a triple zero call, an emergency, and there's me sitting calmly in the waiting room.'
The incident unfolded earlier this week when Ms Martin attended a specialist appointment with a periodontist she had been referred to after ongoing issues with pain.
'He said he was using AI to make notes and write referrals and I said no, I'm a musician and I'm divesting in AI,' she said.
'He kind of froze and looked at his assistant and after that became really agitated.
Caerwin Martin, 52, says the strange situation unfolded during a routine check-up for a toothache
She claims her dentist called police when she said no to the use of AI during her appointment
'I opened my mouth and he looked inside for like 30 seconds and said I needed a referral and that was it.
'He seemed annoyed and was really jittery and kind of bouncing his leg angrily.'
As the doctor sat to write the referral, Ms Martin, who is a composer, said the topic was raised again.
'I told him I didn't think it was safe and I had security concerns about it and he said that was legally untrue and he couldn't allow me to say things that were legally untrue,' she recalled.
'It was really weird and I don't really understand that sentence, but that's what he said and then he absolutely lost it.
'He said they were not using ChatGPT and he wouldn't give me any more details about it and things got really heated.'
Ms Martin says she told the doctor he needed to regulate himself and asked if he wanted her to leave.
'I left the appointment and walked to reception to pay and he chased me out into the waiting room and yelled 'call the police'.
It was once she got to the waiting room the doctor requested the receptionist call the police
Ms Martin said the doctor was very agitated
'The receptionist, who was a bit perplexed, called the police, called triple zero.'
Ms Martin says she remained seated in the waiting room until officers arrived and, after briefly speaking to them, she left and has not heard back since.
Feeling uneasy about the confrontation, she later contacted the Dental Board of Australia for advice.
'They were amazing. They said I absolutely did have the right to choose and what happened shouldn't have happened,' she said.
'And what I think this raises is a bit of a conversation around AI use in medical practitioners.
'I know people are often asked by GPs if they do use AI, do they have your consent and permission and of course you should be allowed to say no.
'I have lots of ethical reasons why I don't want AI to have access to my medical records.
'Im a musician and I'm offended that the government had to step in to stop AI from hoovering up all of our stuff.
Ms Martin has contacted the Dentist Board of Australia about the incident
'So I have a boycott on AI anyway and I don't think AI is good for the world.'
Last month the Australian government blocked artificial intelligence companies from training their models on Australian creative works.
The move could have seen local artists' work recreated and used with no royalties paid.
'I also don't want my medical records to be written by anyone other than the medical professional,' Ms Martin added.
'I'm very concerned that ChatGPT had leaks. I don't think it's secure and I don't trust it.
'I understand if doctors are pressed for time they may want to use it and maybe there is an argument about keeping costs down, but we should all have the right to say no thank-you very much.'
