Oscar-winning actress Dame Helen Mirren has revealed that she generally avoids visiting doctors and has jokingly described artificial intelligence as her go-to source for medical advice.
The 81-year-old actress made the comments while discussing health concerns with her A Talent for Murder co-stars Alden Ehrenreich and Olivia Cooke.
Ehrenreich, 36, and Cooke, 32, had previously spoken about being self-described hypochondriacs and said their shared tendency to worry about health issues helped them bond while working on the thriller.
When Ehrenreich asked Mirren whether she also tends to avoid doctors, the actress gave a straightforward response, saying that she completely avoids them and joking that the approach has been working for her.
Mirren described herself as being almost the opposite of a hypochondriac. Rather than frequently worrying about possible illnesses, she said she tends to ignore health concerns.
Ehrenreich took a very different view, joking that his tendency to worry about medical problems makes him wish he could have a doctor living in his home to answer his questions.
Mirren responded with a humorous suggestion that Ehrenreich already has access to something similar.
“It’s called AI,” she quipped, turning the conversation toward artificial intelligence.
The actress went on to praise AI, explaining that she considers it useful when she experiences something that hurts but does not appear to be particularly serious.
Her comments reflect the growing popularity of AI tools for answering everyday questions, including questions related to health and possible symptoms. However, AI-generated information cannot replace an examination or diagnosis from a qualified medical professional.
Mirren’s comments are particularly notable because they contrast with her earlier criticism of AI-generated content.
Two years ago, the actress made headlines at the American Cinematheque Awards after discovering that a speech prepared for her Lifetime Achievement Award had been generated by artificial intelligence.
The award was presented by her 1923 co-star Harrison Ford, after which Mirren began reading from the prepared speech. The text praised her career, her passion for storytelling and her long relationship with the acting profession.
After reading the material, Mirren revealed that the speech had been written by AI. She then dramatically tore the paper into pieces and threw it onto the floor, receiving cheers and applause from the audience.
Her latest remarks show that her attitude toward AI is more nuanced than her earlier criticism might suggest. While she rejected AI-generated material as a substitute for a personal acceptance speech, she now appears fascinated by its usefulness for everyday questions.
Mirren has also previously expressed enthusiasm for other forms of technology.
During a 2024 interview with the Evening Standard’s Brave New World, she spoke enthusiastically about GPS navigation. She described watching the small blue location marker move as she walked through a street as something that felt almost magical.
The actress even remarked that she wished Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain had lived long enough to experience GPS technology.
Mirren’s latest comments suggest that her fascination with technology has expanded further into artificial intelligence. Her humorous description of AI as a virtual doctor highlights both the convenience and the growing cultural presence of AI tools in everyday life.
At the same time, her remarks serve as a reminder that AI should not be treated as a replacement for professional medical care, particularly when symptoms are serious, persistent or unclear.
