Dame Helen Mirren has revealed that she avoids doctors and instead turns to artificial intelligence for medical advice, describing herself as the “opposite of hypochondria.”
The 81-year-old actress made the admission while discussing health worries with her A Talent for Murder co-stars Alden Ehrenreich and Olivia Cooke.
Ehrenreich, 36, and Cooke, 32, had revealed to Entertainment Weekly that they bonded while filming the thriller over being self-described hypochondriacs.
Ehrenreich then asked Mirren whether she avoids doctors. The actress responded bluntly: “Totally deny. I avoid doctors. Oh no, totally. And it’s working.”
Mirren explained that she takes an almost opposite approach to people who constantly worry about their health, saying she simply ignores health concerns.
Ehrenreich, meanwhile, joked that his own tendency to worry about possible medical problems makes him wish he could have a doctor living in his home.
‘It’s called AI’
Mirren responded by suggesting that Ehrenreich already has something similar at his disposal. “Well, you do. It’s called AI,” she quipped.
Ehrenreich laughed and described the comment as an “interesting plug for AI,” but Mirren continued to praise the technology.
“You know, AI is amazing,” she said, describing how she can use it when something hurts but does not seem particularly serious.
Her comments highlight a growing interest in AI tools for everyday health questions, although AI-generated information is not a substitute for professional medical assessment.
Mirren previously mocked AI-generated speech
Mirren’s enthusiasm for AI marks an interesting contrast with her earlier public criticism of artificial intelligence-generated content.
Two years ago, the actress dramatically tore apart an AI-written speech while accepting her Lifetime Achievement Award at the American Cinematheque Awards.
Her 1923 co-star Harrison Ford, 84, presented her with the honour before Mirren began reading from a prepared piece of paper.
The speech described her as being “deeply humbled” and “profoundly honoured” to receive the award, while expressing gratitude to the entertainment industry and those who had supported her acting career.
The speech also praised her lifelong passion for storytelling and described acting as a journey filled with passion, challenges and an “unyielding love” for the craft.
After reading it, Mirren revealed to the audience that the speech had been generated by AI.
She then ripped the paper into pieces and threw it onto the floor, prompting cheers and applause from the audience.
Mirren’s fascination with technology
Mirren has previously spoken enthusiastically about technology, particularly GPS.
During a 2024 interview with the Evening Standard’s Brave New World, the actress said she sometimes thought it was unfortunate that Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain died before he could experience GPS.
Mirren said she found it “completely magical and unbelievable” to watch the small blue location marker representing her movement as she walked down a street.
Her latest comments suggest that her fascination with technology has now extended to artificial intelligence, which she jokingly presented as a virtual doctor for everyday health concerns.
