A shocking case in China has sparked debate over the dangers of blindly trusting artificial intelligence (AI) after inexperienced parents allegedly underfed their newborn baby by strictly following feeding advice generated by an AI model.
According to reports from Nanning in Guangxi province, the couple relied entirely on AI recommendations and fed their one-month-old baby only 60 millilitres of milk per feeding, causing the infant to cry constantly from hunger.
The situation only came to light after the parents brought the baby back to hospital for a follow-up examination, where doctors discovered the child had failed to gain proper weight.
Chinese media reported that the couple, identified under the pseudonym A Qiang and his wife, became extremely anxious about their baby’s health after the newborn was previously hospitalised for jaundice shortly after birth.
As the baby reached one month old, the parents grew worried because the infant cried frequently and appeared unsettled.
Instead of seeking direct medical advice, they reportedly turned to an AI chatbot online for guidance.
Based on the AI-generated response, the couple strictly limited every feeding session to only 60ml of milk.
However, the baby’s crying reportedly became worse over time.
Family elders had allegedly advised the couple to increase the feeding amount, but the parents insisted on following the AI recommendation exactly.
In late May, the couple finally brought the baby to a healthcare clinic for a routine check-up.
Doctors were reportedly stunned after learning the infant was receiving only 60ml of milk per feeding.
The attending doctor explained that a healthy full-term baby at one month old would normally consume between 80ml and 100ml of milk during each feeding session.
Medical staff later discovered the baby had not gained any weight over the previous week due to severe nutritional deficiency.
Doctors also concluded that the infant’s constant crying was caused by hunger and exhaustion, with the baby reportedly crying until becoming too tired before eventually falling asleep.
Medical experts involved in the case stressed that AI systems are unable to fully replace proper clinical assessment because they cannot accurately determine important details such as whether a baby was born full-term or premature, or consider individual weight and health differences.
They warned that AI-generated responses are often generic and formula-based, making them unsuitable for personalised medical decisions.
Doctors also cautioned that some AI platforms may produce inaccurate or misleading information in an attempt to satisfy user requests, adding that even professionals sometimes encounter factual errors in AI-generated content.
The case has since triggered widespread discussion online, with many netizens urging parents not to depend entirely on technology when making health-related decisions involving children.
Medical professionals reminded the public that AI should only be used as a general reference tool, while proper consultation with qualified doctors remains essential for medical and childcare concerns.
