As you read these stories, keep in mind that there will never be an astralcodexten.com guest essay from someone who spent time trying to diagnose a health condition with AI and it didn't help or even caused some harm. And that's probably the most common experience.
Yes, health systems worldwide have a number of problems caused by the need to operate at a scale and manage costs, same as with primary education. AI can create some efficiencies, but it almost certainly solves fewer healthcare or education problems than most AI maximalists believe.
The vast majority of modern medical practice is not diagnosing one-in-a-million conditions that escaped the attention of the rest of the medical establishment. It's increasingly about geriatric care, including dealing with people of diminished mental acuity. Add to this ~20% of the population who believes that vaccines cause chemtrails and you're really not solving a lot by giving people a sycophantic chatbot not beholden by consequences of its actions, willing to entertain any theory of what might be wrong with me.
Again, I think AI has applications in these niches - I really don't think we need doctors personally prescribing viagra or itch cream - but a lot of healthcare is people management.
socializer · · focus · HN ↗
Yes, health systems worldwide have a number of problems caused by the need to operate at a scale and manage costs, same as with primary education. AI can create some efficiencies, but it almost certainly solves fewer healthcare or education problems than most AI maximalists believe.
ryanisnan · · focus · HN ↗
Do you have any information to back this claim up?
socializer · · focus · HN ↗
Again, I think AI has applications in these niches - I really don't think we need doctors personally prescribing viagra or itch cream - but a lot of healthcare is people management.