OpenAI Acquires Torch for ChatGPT Health Integration

OpenAI announced on January 12, 2025, that it has acquired Torch, a small healthcare technology startup, for an undisclosed sum, integrating the firm's technology and four-person team into its newly launched ChatGPT Health service.

The deal, described by company representatives as an acquihire, brings Torch's expertise in aggregating personal health data to OpenAI's platform. Torch developed an app that consolidates medical information from diverse sources, including doctor visit records, lab results, wearable devices, prescriptions, and consumer wellness portals. The startup's founders referred to the system as a "medical memory for AI," designed to unify scattered data into a cohesive context engine that makes it easier for artificial intelligence to process and analyze health information. This includes capturing unstructured details, such as visit summaries and care notes, to provide a more complete view for patients and clinicians.

Torch's entire team will join OpenAI to contribute directly to ChatGPT Health, a feature unveiled just days before the acquisition. The service allows users to connect their medical records and wellness data to the ChatGPT chatbot, enabling it to...