My thoughts, ideas, and questions regarding this article are I totally object to A.I. I personally would never let a computer touch me without the presence of a physician’s control. The medical world with A.I. taking over will increase unemployment tremendously in the future? Whose idea is to advance technology and use technical brains rather than biological brains? A computer cannot greet me with empathy, reassurance, or grow a bond between a patient and provider. If I have a fear of doctor’s offices and start to hyperventilate a machine telling me I will be okay, as compared to a physician it is different. The reason why there’s a difference between A.I. and a physician is that a computer cannot relate to my human empathy, traumatic decision making, and physical examinations. My questions are A.I. will start running medical offices, hospitals, and clinics? How can A.I. know when a hypochondriac patient appears? What about HIPPA and all the confidentiality from A.I.? Computers speak loudly and clearly to everyone to hear what they have analyzed.
The three quotes which stood out is a statement from Dr. Leo Anthony Ali “It’s that A.I. is being deployed to optimize a profoundly broke system rather than to reimagine it” (Kolata). The system is profoundly broken today because it prioritizes profit over patient care. The system is more corporate now and the medication costs have skyrocketed. If healthcare reimagine the workforce by training employees to adapt to new technology- driven workflows. In my opinion instead of replacing us, ultimately it will simply be a useful tool. A.I. could populate resources quickly on topics a provider is discussing with the patient. As for this, A.I. could complement us for providing efficiency, reduce energy consumption, translate any language, and manage repetitive data. My second quote isa statement from Dr. Linder “And it is becoming increasingly clear that the role of a doctor is going to undergo a transformation” (Kolata). Even though A.I. has been around for decades. As I have said, lack of creativity and emotional intelligence is a big “NO” for A.I. to diagnose me. I already put up with the automatic blood pressure machine that squeezes dear life out of your arm to get blood pressure reading. The doctor will always be needed in our lives by creating computers and programs that can replicate human thinking is preposterous. My finally quote that stood out to me is what Dr. Steinberg said, “I think our doctoring role may look a little different, but I will still be sitting on a little rolling stool, talking to the patient he said” (Kolata).
If I was to lose a child, for example, have a miscarriage I wonder if A.I. could console me. I think not, A.I. would read to me data and health facts only, but my emotions would be all over the place. I believe all humans would eventually get confused about what’s facts and fictional with A.I. People probably stop thinking for themselves if A.I. take over and hit a button to tell them what to do. Intelligence, IQs, and thinking skills will decrease in the world. We are practicing A.I. every day when we talk to Alexa, security cameras, and google in our everyday life. A.I. should be a co-pilot to assist doctors to reduce burnout and improve diagnostic accuracy not to make physicians re-evaluate their roles. I believe A.I. will have so many medical personnels questioning their own cognitive and practice skills. Who will be accountable for errors, the provider or A.I? A.I. cannot and will never be a compassionate healer, have bedside manners, and be attentive to detail.
LaTra Jackson is a student at Houston City College majoring in Child Development