OpenAI Boosts ChatGPT Health With Acquisition of Healthtech Startup, Torch
In Focus
- OpenAI’s move to acquire Torch reflects a shift to specialized AI bots
- ChatGPT Health allows users to link wellness apps and medical records to the AI chatbot
- Torch is developing a unified medical memory for AI
OpenAI has acquired healthtech startup Torch for over $100 million. According to Gadgets360, the acquisition of Torch reflects OpenAI’s growing focus in the healthcare industry in 2026. Recently, OpenAI said at least one in every four queries submitted on ChatGPT each week relate to healthcare. This means about 200 million people use AI to access health information.
Improving ChatGPT Health Performance
OpenAI plans to use the technology developed by Torch to boost its ChatGPT Health solution. Although the healthtech startup is yet to introduce a product in the market, it has been developing a unified medical memory for AI.
The solution is aimed at consolidating siloed patient health data from different vendors and format into a single location.
“We’ve acquired Torch, a healthcare startup that unifies lab results, medications, and visit recordings. Bringing this together with ChatGPT Health opens up a new way to understand and manage your health,” OpenAI stated in a post on X.
OpenAI buys Torch health tech company just days after it introduced ChatGPT Health, an experience that enables users to link wellness apps and medical records to the AI chatbot.The acquisition will see the Torch employees join OpenAI.
“I can’t imagine a better next chapter than to now get to put our technology and ideas in the hands of the hundreds of millions of people who already use ChatGPT for health questions every week,” Torch CEO Ilya Abyzov posted on X.
A Shift to Specialized AI Bots
News of OpenAI’s Torch acquisition reflects a growing shift to specialized AI tools that work with user-authorized data. The AI company will probably use the medical data to streamline technology and integrate into its ChatGPT Health solution.
This will enable its chatbot to respond to users who upload several large documents, without error or losing context. ChatGPT Health alleviates the need for users to juggle different apps and scattered medical records. Instead, they have a single AI assistant that understands their entire health history.
OpenAI recently unveiled ChatGPT for Healthcare, AI tools designed for doctors, hospitals, and other healthcare institutions. The AI tools are powered by GPT-5 AI models, which OpenAI launched last month.
Growing Interest in Healthcare
ChatGPT acquires Torch startup at a time when tech companies are seeking to dominate the healthcare industry. OpenAI acquired the healthtech startup soon after Anthropic launched Claude for Healthcare solution.
The solution targets startups and enterprises seeking to integrate AI into their operations. Last year, Google rolled out the public preview version of Fitbit’s AI-powered Health Coach app.
OpenAI’s focus on healthcare appears to be well thought out and planned. The AI firm worked with more than 260 physicians to develop the ChatGPT Health solution over a two year period. OpenAI’s healthcare acquisition in 2026 is also strategic in terms of developing a technology that securely links AI systems with personal health data.
