In the near future, we’re told that artificial intelligence (AI) could take over many aspects of our lives, including healthcare. Some reports suggest that AI systems might be able to diagnose conditions, find treatments, and address patient challenges faster and more effectively than traditional doctors. There's even talk that AI could offer better bedside manner than many human physicians. On the surface, this seems like a win-win—imagine having a virtual consultant that could provide instant, cost-effective, and accessible healthcare. But before we get too excited, there are some critical issues to consider.
The Allure of AI
The potential benefits of AI in healthcare are undeniable. It promises to streamline processes, reduce costs, and offer quicker service. Instead of enduring long waits to see a doctor, you could consult with an AI chatbot or a more sophisticated virtual assistant from the comfort of your home. This could mean faster diagnoses and treatments at a fraction of the cost of traditional healthcare.
The Hidden Costs of AI Dominance
However, it’s essential to look beyond these surface-level advantages. One significant concern is the potential for AI to create a monopoly or oligopoly in healthcare. Just as a few tech giants dominate social media, a handful of major players could end up controlling the AI healthcare market. This consolidation could lead to limited choices for patients. If you're unhappy with one AI service, your options for alternatives might be extremely restricted. Unlike the current system where you can easily switch doctors or seek second opinions, an AI-dominated market might not offer the same flexibility. For analogy, consider the current landscape pf big tech platforms and the limited, virtually monopolistic, options available to the public.
Accountability Issues
Another pressing issue is accountability. If an AI system makes a mistake or fails to provide adequate care, who is responsible? Unlike human doctors, who can be held accountable through medical boards and legal channels, AI systems and their parent companies might be less accessible for accountability. Large tech firms often have the resources to evade or delay legal action, leaving individuals with little recourse if something goes wrong. Consider the resources poured into any big tech litigation, often involving nation states taking those corporations on. How do you think an individual such as yourself is going to fare?
Bias and Technical Flaws
AI systems are not without their flaws. They are designed by humans, who may unintentionally or intentionally introduce biases, inaccuracies or even lies into the system. This could lead to unfair treatment, malpractice, and unforeseen complications in management affecting numerous people. Moreover, AI algorithms can suffer from problems such as data drift, catastrophic forgetting, AI hallucination, adversarial attacks, software and hardware aging. These issues can impact the accuracy and reliability of the care provided.
Infrastructure and Maintenance Challenges
AI systems also require regular maintenance and updates to function effectively. Failures in these areas can lead to reduced performance and accuracy. Even more basically, AI depends on power supply and adequate connectivity. Any factor adversely affecting those elements can completely disable the system, denying medical care, especially if that is the only option available.
Regulatory Challenges
Additionally, changes in regulations can affect how AI systems operate, potentially causing disruptions in the care they provide.
The Risk of Rising Costs Through Monopolization
Imagine the following scenario: AI healthcare takes over a critical mass of the market by providing quick and virtually free access to medical care largely putting human-delivered healthcare out of business. There are no human doctors as they cannot make a living in the profession. AI healthcare is the de facto the only game in town and there are no other options. The healthcare market has now been cornered by AI and AI providers dominate the market. Now, once the market consists of an AI monopoly cartel – those companies raise prices. With the market cornered, patients are now forced to accept higher prices and less favorable terms. Once a scenario like this plays out higher costs should be the least of our concerns. With no human doctors to pass on knowledge and train future generations in the craft of medicine, the entire field can be wiped out, leaving people at the mercy of the monopoly or virtually nothing in case of a catastrophic breakdown of the infrastructure.
In conclusion, while AI has the potential to revolutionize healthcare, we must approach its integration with caution. The promise of efficiency and cost savings must be carefully balanced against the risks of monopolistic control, accountability issues, and the inherent biases and technical limitations of AI, and countless unintended and irreversible consequences. As we explore AI’s role in medicine, it's crucial to implement it thoughtfully and ensure strong safeguards to protect patients and maintain high standards of care.
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Thanks for reading and God bless.
Yuval Bibi, MD/PhD - Board Certified Dermatologist
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