AI in Medicine: A Personal Journey
What if AI is what millions of chronically ill people have been waiting for?
From diagnosing diseases to personalizing treatments, artificial intelligence promises a future of efficiency and precision. Yet, with innovation comes uncertainty. Can AI truly revolutionize medicine, or is it just another overhyped technology?
What if?
A New Era of Healing—Or Just Another Tech Hype?
When Hope Looks Like Science Fiction
As the owner of a nasty case of Crohn’s Disease for 20 years, I was literally hoping for the arrival of aliens. You know, like in V-The Visitors from 2009, where the aliens let mankind participate in their total healing experience.
My case of Crohn’s is classified as extreme—aggravated by countless medical errors.
Be that as it may, I am left with a rocking 2.2 meters of colon. For those not in the know: You need 1.2 meters of small intestine to survive (has to do with calorie absorption and stuff).
Then, in November 2023, the “alien” finally arrived: OpenAI released ChatGPT.
What if my doctor had a single sheet—neatly summarizing 20 years of my medical history?
Suddenly, the impossible seemed within reach. AI could read everything ever written about Crohn’s Disease and maybe—just maybe—suggest something new. Could AI even find a way to transplant a colon? Could I finally get rid of the stoma? The possibilities excited me.
The Dawn of AI in Medicine
The release of ChatGPT marked a turning point in the medical field. Suddenly, the vast sea of medical literature was navigable in seconds.
Doctors no longer had to flip through thick files—they could access key patient data in moments.
This wasn’t just about efficiency—it was about precision. Every test result, every reported symptom, every failed treatment: neatly organized and analyzed.
Imagine the Possibilities
Picture this: You walk into your doctor’s office, and instead of flipping through your thick medical file, they have a concise, bullet-pointed summary prepared by AI.
What if AI could predict the best treatment options based on my unique medical history?
This isn’t the future. It’s happening now. AI like ChatGPT and Google’s AMIE are already transforming patient care.
Meet AMIE: Google’s Medical Marvel
AMIE, or AI Model for Medical Insights and Evidence, is Google’s answer to the medical field’s call for help.
Imagine an AI that reads every medical paper ever published—and gives doctors real-time insights.
It’s like having an all-knowing assistant that never sleeps. Diagnosis and treatment planning are no longer guesswork; they’re data-driven.
Real Advances in AI and Medicine
AI isn’t just about processing information; it’s about learning and evolving.
What if AI could predict treatment outcomes before they happen?
From genetic-based treatment recommendations to real-time patient monitoring, AI is already reshaping medicine today. The technology is not theoretical—it’s already in action.
Data Privacy: A Double-Edged Sword
Now, let’s talk about data privacy.
Sharing medical data with AI can feel invasive—but is the trade-off worth it?
For many of us, the promise of better treatment and a higher quality of life outweighs privacy concerns. It’s a tough call, but AI could mean fewer medical errors, faster diagnoses, and better patient outcomes
Conclusion: A Future Worth Fighting For
For those of us with chronic conditions, AI offers the possibility of better days ahead.
