Opinion: Using AI in addiction medicine could be particularly risky
Why this matters: health reporting relevant to everyday decisions and well-being.
Recently, I saw one version of the AI-enabled future of medicine. It was compelling in its simplicity, thrilling in its potential as a force multiplier, and all wrong. The product misunderstood the needs of the patient, the role of the doctor, and the nuanced dance between them. The AI was technically adept, perhaps even marvelous. But it failed at an essential element of a physician’s job: the art of medicine. What troubled me most was the possibility that patients might mistake simulated empathy for genuine human connection. For me, the art of medicine requires the ability to connect authentically with my patients. That connection is bidirectional, intentional, and therapeutic. With AI, we risk losing that connection. This loss would negatively impact subjective and objective outcomes. Read the rest…