Health Ministry blocks AI tools on government hospital computers

Israel’s Health Ministry has ordered a full block on access to artificial intelligence tools on computers in government hospitals, in a move first reported by N12 on June 26, 2026 at 05:55. The ban affects popular services such as ChatGPT, Gemini and Claude on hospital networks, including at Sheba and Assaf Harofeh.

According to the report, the decision was made over fears of cyberattacks and the possible exposure of sensitive patient medical information. Hospital staff were surprised to find the tools unavailable on their work computers, and can now use them only from their personal phones.

The new step is a sharp escalation from guidance issued in March, when the ministry told public health organizations to reduce use of these external AI systems as much as possible. At the time, officials warned workers not to enter organizational data, medical information, personnel details or code into the platforms.

In its response, the ministry said that protecting patient privacy, medical confidentiality and information security are top priorities. It also said AI remains an important engine for innovation in the health system, and that it is working on protective solutions that would allow wider AI use, including on computers connected to organizational networks, while maintaining cybersecurity standards.