One year after OpenAI‘s ChatGPT exploded onto the scene, the generative AI model is already upending health care. This is an industry not known for its speedy adoption of tech, making the rapid acceleration of AI in health care a noteworthy development. The use of AI and algorithms in health care has been present for decades, but the emergence of ChatGPT and other generative AI models has significantly amplified their application in research and care delivery.
Shafiq Rab, system CIO and chief digital officer at Tufts Medicine, acknowledged that the current advancements in AI within health care are a result of the competition to achieve AI capabilities faster. The widespread excitement about the potential impact of AI on health care is expected to gradually diminish as the industry delves deeper into understanding the true capabilities and limitations of the technology.
Earlier in 2023, experts engaged in dialogues with ChatGPT on topics related to stem cell research and the future of surgery. Their interactions progressed to testing ChatGPT’s performance on the U.S. Medical Licensing Exam, which it successfully passed. Subsequently, studies were conducted to assess its ability to simplify clinicians’ work by generating discharge summaries and radiology reports. In some cases, ChatGPT was noted for its empathy in responding to patient inquiries.
Furthermore, tech companies have explored ways to leverage generative AI models to aid doctors in efficiently reviewing the latest research and documenting patient visits. The pharmaceutical industry is also incorporating these models to enhance drug discovery, while tech giants are utilizing them to optimize cancer targeting. The rapid advancement in this field has led experts to predict that what was accomplished in the past 100 years will be achieved in the next 10 to 5 years.
However, concerns have surfaced regarding the potential drawbacks of AI chatbots, including the dissemination of harmful misinformation, reinforcement of biases, and the undermining of medical education. Despite assertions from the medical community that AI cannot replace doctors in diagnosing patients, research has raised questions about its plausible implications.
While generative AI has been lauded for its potential in developing biodefense tools, cautionary notes have also emerged about its capacity to create new biological threats. At a recent health tech conference, the prevalent use of AI by numerous companies and health systems reflected the intense hype surrounding generative AI, prompting skepticism from industry insiders who observed that the current enthusiasm may surpass the reality of its impact.
Headspace CEO Russ Glass emphasized the significance of AI in health care while cautioning against overestimating its capabilities. According to Glass, AI may never replace human intervention in the near future, emphasizing its importance as a supportive tool for behavioral health clinicians in their interactions with patients.
Our Perspective
As Pinnacle Digital Advisors, we see the rapid integration of AI, particularly ChatGPT, in healthcare as a groundbreaking and transformative advancement. The growing utilization of generative AI models presents both opportunities and challenges, requiring a balanced approach to fully leverage their potential while addressing inherent risks.
Pinnacle Digital Advisors
This article originally published: [https://www.axios.com/2023/11/29/chat-gpt-health-care-medicine-clinical-diagnosis]