I agree that AI will do amazing things but I fear that it will not make healthcare equal around the world. Even if they cure malaria or other deadly diseases in developing countries we have capacity and funding issues. As an ex-nurse I know how unwilling the medical profession, politicians and the public are to address the issue of “just because we can, should we?” With a limited health budget should we spend half a million on drugs for one family with a rare disorder, or should we spend it on cataract surgery for hundreds of patients? The same questions will arise with AI.
I do think that when governments get involved in healthcare, they make healthcare more equal for their citizens because it's in their best interest to keep citizens healthy! But I agree that we will always have questions regarding the many vs. the few. It might be in a country's best interest to cure malaria (if they are footing the healthcare bills), but not necessarily a rare leukemia only one person gets. BUT the hope is that over time, as we tackle the diseases that plague the many, all that will be left to tackle are the ones that plague the few! And there are many companies attempting to tackle rare diseases, and who stand to benefit if they can crack the code. Recursion is one, which aims to use AI to find a cure for every rare disease!
I had to mull over this and try not to have my mind leach to the dark side. We spent a lot of time wanting to know what’s wrong and how to stop it. We writhe and spin ourselves dizzy trying to get out of destructive cycles. Then here it is. Wasn’t the job, the girlfriend, the shitty diet, it was something else. What a gift of freedom to know how we can continue living a burden-less life. It’s amazing and almost infuriating to think a solution could be so easy.
AI can use personal data for good and that’s really how I’d love to see it applied. I’m just marveling at the prospect of scaling back on something unhealthy (verifiably) and extending your life. I say this as someone who is getting to a stage in life where I need to start watching levels of this and that in my bloodwork, worry about carrying extra weight (and specifically it’s effect on MY health), so I’d like to see that comprehensive analysis. It’s the personalized care we’re only just scratching the surface of.
Oh yes, that makes a lot of sense. I've been really inspired by how the Apple watch has been focusing on the elder market, with the ability to call a loved one if it detects that you have fallen and haven't gotten back up, or whether you've been immobile for awhile. Not to mention their ability to notice heart abnormalities that could signal an oncoming heart attack and alert them that they need to go to the hospital. It seems like these features could really help people stay in their homes longer and remain independent!
As far as the data thing, I once read about an app in China that determines whether someone is good for a loan, not by their employment status, but by their personal data. Apparently they have far fewer defaults than any Chinese bank, and can tell someone's ability to pay back a loan more accurately based on data like how fast they type a text message. It's really wild the correlations they have started discovering!
Elle, i just came across The Elysian. We have a very different approach to illness and the many problems in the world, but I applaud enthusiastically your willingness to take the unconventional approach and get people thinking. I look forward to reading more.
I haven't watched the TV show either (too depressing, agreed!) so I'm not sure if they do the university lecture framing thing there or not; I'm thinking of the novel. (If you haven't read it yet I highly recommend it! Especially for a utopianist!)
I don't think so! (Granted, I watched only 3 eps of the series and had to give up.) The novel was ... bracing. But much less gut-wrenchingly upsetting than the series.
(As you know, I am much less sanguine about the benefits of AI than you are, so I'm always glad to have a more optimistic take to balance out my pessimism!)
Sep 1, 2023·edited Sep 1, 2023Liked by Elle Griffin
I have a story cueing up with AI in medicine. But it's for next year, after I finish what I'm currently writing. In any case, I think that using AI for good should be explored more. This is a tool that was built to serve.
Thanks! I wanted to explain what the medical landscape looked like, but it would be so boring to have someone just explain it to you. A lecture felt like a good way to "teach" without it feeling weird!
I agree that AI will do amazing things but I fear that it will not make healthcare equal around the world. Even if they cure malaria or other deadly diseases in developing countries we have capacity and funding issues. As an ex-nurse I know how unwilling the medical profession, politicians and the public are to address the issue of “just because we can, should we?” With a limited health budget should we spend half a million on drugs for one family with a rare disorder, or should we spend it on cataract surgery for hundreds of patients? The same questions will arise with AI.
I do think that when governments get involved in healthcare, they make healthcare more equal for their citizens because it's in their best interest to keep citizens healthy! But I agree that we will always have questions regarding the many vs. the few. It might be in a country's best interest to cure malaria (if they are footing the healthcare bills), but not necessarily a rare leukemia only one person gets. BUT the hope is that over time, as we tackle the diseases that plague the many, all that will be left to tackle are the ones that plague the few! And there are many companies attempting to tackle rare diseases, and who stand to benefit if they can crack the code. Recursion is one, which aims to use AI to find a cure for every rare disease!
I had to mull over this and try not to have my mind leach to the dark side. We spent a lot of time wanting to know what’s wrong and how to stop it. We writhe and spin ourselves dizzy trying to get out of destructive cycles. Then here it is. Wasn’t the job, the girlfriend, the shitty diet, it was something else. What a gift of freedom to know how we can continue living a burden-less life. It’s amazing and almost infuriating to think a solution could be so easy.
What do you mean? You don't see how ai or personal data can be used for good? Or that it's odd that we haven't considered that it could be??
AI can use personal data for good and that’s really how I’d love to see it applied. I’m just marveling at the prospect of scaling back on something unhealthy (verifiably) and extending your life. I say this as someone who is getting to a stage in life where I need to start watching levels of this and that in my bloodwork, worry about carrying extra weight (and specifically it’s effect on MY health), so I’d like to see that comprehensive analysis. It’s the personalized care we’re only just scratching the surface of.
Oh yes, that makes a lot of sense. I've been really inspired by how the Apple watch has been focusing on the elder market, with the ability to call a loved one if it detects that you have fallen and haven't gotten back up, or whether you've been immobile for awhile. Not to mention their ability to notice heart abnormalities that could signal an oncoming heart attack and alert them that they need to go to the hospital. It seems like these features could really help people stay in their homes longer and remain independent!
As far as the data thing, I once read about an app in China that determines whether someone is good for a loan, not by their employment status, but by their personal data. Apparently they have far fewer defaults than any Chinese bank, and can tell someone's ability to pay back a loan more accurately based on data like how fast they type a text message. It's really wild the correlations they have started discovering!
That is VERY interesting and upends a lot of what we see with institutions taking financial risk on customers. I text very quickly! 😃
I had an arrhythmia I caught on my Apple Watch during a scary episode. My cardiologist thought it was very helpful to have those initial EKGs done.
Elle, i just came across The Elysian. We have a very different approach to illness and the many problems in the world, but I applaud enthusiastically your willingness to take the unconventional approach and get people thinking. I look forward to reading more.
All approaches are welcome here, so I’ll be excited to learn more about yours!!! Thanks for joining us Keith!!!!!
Love this -- and wondering if the "future university lecture" format was inspired by A Handmaid's Tale? 😊 Just in case you haven't seen this yet:
https://singularityhub.com/2023/08/22/ai-can-now-design-proteins-that-behave-like-biological-transistors/
Omg no! I couldn't watch The Handmaid's Tale because it was too depressing 🤣
This article is fascinating though...... thank you so much for sharing it with me!
I haven't watched the TV show either (too depressing, agreed!) so I'm not sure if they do the university lecture framing thing there or not; I'm thinking of the novel. (If you haven't read it yet I highly recommend it! Especially for a utopianist!)
Oh I just assumed the book would be just as depressing. It’s not??
I don't think so! (Granted, I watched only 3 eps of the series and had to give up.) The novel was ... bracing. But much less gut-wrenchingly upsetting than the series.
Ok good to know!
(As you know, I am much less sanguine about the benefits of AI than you are, so I'm always glad to have a more optimistic take to balance out my pessimism!)
I know I know 😆 But there's still hope!!!!! (if we can use it for good instead of evil!)
I have a story cueing up with AI in medicine. But it's for next year, after I finish what I'm currently writing. In any case, I think that using AI for good should be explored more. This is a tool that was built to serve.
Oh awesome, can't wait to read it!!!!
Thanks! I wanted to explain what the medical landscape looked like, but it would be so boring to have someone just explain it to you. A lecture felt like a good way to "teach" without it feeling weird!