Plastic surgeons warn of rise in AI image requests for cosmetic procedures
Plastic surgeons report a rise in patients using AI-generated images to request cosmetic procedures, warning of unrealistic expectations and the risk of unlicensed surgeons.
How it was covered
- ITV was the only channel found covering it.
- Channel 5, BBC News, BBC One, BBC Two, Channel 4, GB News and Sky News: not found in tracked broadcasts.
The Full Story
A plain summary built from the channels that reported this story. Facts only one channel reported are attributed to it.
Plastic surgeons across the UK have reported a rise in patients arriving at consultations with AI-generated images of the face they want, raising concerns about unrealistic expectations and the risk of patients turning to unlicensed practitioners.
The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons surveyed its members and found that 15% had experienced patients using AI to create an ideal outcome for surgeons to replicate. The images are often produced by chatbots such as ChatGPT and Gemini, which can suggest changes to a person's appearance when prompted.
ITV News tested the technology by uploading two pictures of a reporter's face to ChatGPT and Gemini. Gemini returned an altered image, while ChatGPT provided a list of suggested procedures. A clinic owner in Kensington and Chelsea, Sarah, said the suggestions were often unrealistic. 'It's not alchemy. You can't do this,' she said. She added that AI does not see the patient's face, skin texture, muscle depth or fat tissue, and is essentially a prediction engine.
Experts warned that AI cannot be relied on as an accurate surgery simulation. One surgeon said it might be a bit of fun, but it cannot replace professional advice. There is also concern that patients who are turned away by reputable surgeons may seek out unlicensed clinicians who are willing to perform anatomically impossible procedures.
Both OpenAI, which runs ChatGPT, and Google, which runs Gemini, have added disclaimers. OpenAI said ChatGPT should never be used as a substitute for professional care, while Gemini's disclaimer said it could not recommend specific procedures and that the information was for informational purposes only.
Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, grouped by how many channels reported each one. Select a dot to see the source excerpt.
| Claim |  |
|---|---|
| Only on one channel | |
| A survey found that 15% of British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons members reported patients using AI to create a desired surgical outcome. | |
| Google added a disclaimer that Gemini's output is for informational purposes only and cannot recommend specific procedures. | |
| OpenAI said ChatGPT should not be used as a substitute for professional care and advice. | |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
ITV1 conducted an investigative segment, with the reporter testing AI chatbots himself and visiting a clinic to get expert reactions. The coverage highlighted the danger of unrealistic expectations and the potential for patients to turn to unlicensed practitioners, while also noting the disclaimers from tech companies.
- “I think it's a bit dangerous really.”
- “It's not alchemy. You can't do this.”
- “You are you and that's not you.”
Broadcast Timeline
News broadcasts tracked for this story, in time order.