The Promise and Pitfalls of AI in Medicine: Guest Bob Wachter

The Promise and Pitfalls of AI in Medicine: Guest Bob Wachter
GeriPal Podcast, by Eric Widera and Alex Smith, with Bob Wachter; 4/18/24
Our guest today is Bob Wachter, Chair of Medicine at UCSF and author of the Digital Doctor: Hope, Hype, and Harm at the Dawn of Medicine’s Computer Age.  Bob recently wrote an essay in JAMA on AI and delivered a UCSF Grand Rounds on the same topic.
Publisher's note: An interesting exchange. With apologies for the length, this portion of the transcript caught my eye:

Bob: Can we try something a little crazy? You may never have done this on the podcast. You want to try [ChatGPT-4] and see how it does?
Eric: Yeah, let's see it.
Alex: Sure.
Bob: All right. Let’s give it a try. I’m connecting. This is GPT-4. “Hi, GPT-4. I’m on a podcast now. And what I want to do is, this is a tough task for you, I’m sure, but I have a patient with a new diagnosis of cancer, and it’s actually a 35-year-old woman. She’s got a couple of kids. And I’m dreading telling her that she has cancer. I wonder if you could suggest an empathetic conversation that I could have with her that would not sugarcoat the idea that she has cancer, but do it in the most supportive possible way, and taking into account that she’s got a family and she’s got young kids?”
Alex: Wow.
ChatGPT-4: Certainly, having this conversation requires a great deal of sensitivity and compassion. Here’s an approach that balances honesty with empathy. “Hi, patient’s name. Thank you for coming in today. I want to take a moment to acknowledge the strength it takes to face uncertainty about our health. I have received the results from your tests, and after a thorough review, it’s important that we talk openly about what we’ve found. We’ve discovered that you have cancer. I can only imagine how hearing this must feel for you, especially as a parent with young children. This news is overwhelming, and it’s okay to feel a mix of emotions. You’re not alone in this. My team and I are here for you every step of the way. I want to assure you that there are treatments available, and we’ll discuss all your options. It’s important-”
Bob: What do you think?
Alex: Wow.
Bob: By the way, I’ve never done that before. I took it on faith that it will do a decent job. “Wow” is the usual response.