The Impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Robotics on Medicine

In my blog entry of Sept. 11, 2012 (Some Predictions on the Impact of Technology on Society) I mention that medicine could utilize technology in many areas of practice. In another entry of Oct. 24, 2017, I recommended that every individual's medical record be stored in the cloud (Internet) where it can be accessed from anywhere at any time. In this entry I will discuss the potential benefits of artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics on the diagnosis and treatment of illnesses and injuries. AI can also improve the delivery of medical services while reducing cost. Telemedicine: Whenever a person feels ill or is injured a call would be made to a central notification agency. Once the patient's social security number is provided, the following sequence of events transpires: The caller is greeted by a chatbot (a computer program in the form of a virtual correspondent that can vocally engage in conversation with the caller). Connected to a program on the Internet, the chatbot would immediately determine the seriousness of the ailment based on the information provided. It will then request an ambulance if it is determined to be an emergency, or request the person be driven to the hospital for further diagnosis and treatment, or the chatbot can provide advice on home treatment if there is no need for immediate attention. The chatbot can even request medication if needed. [Note: The use of chatbots has a number of advantages over a human point of contact: (1) waiting is eliminated as response time is immediate; (2) determination of the nature of the case is quickly assessed as the chatbot is programmed to diagnose the problem based on the information provided by the caller; (3) medical records are automatically retrieved and updated, which can aid with the diagnosis and personalize the treatment based on the person's history; (4) The need for a doctor or nurse is minimized, freeing them to devote more time to patient care, and (5) costs are reduced as chatbots work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week without compensation.] Telepsychotherapy: Another use of chatbots is in the support it can provide to individuals with mental health or addiction problems. Conversing with a chatbot is. thanks to AI. very human sounding. The chatbot can determine if a caller is suicidal and request home intervention. The chatbot can deliver online psychotherapy at any time or place. Patients may be more willing to communicate with a non-judgemental robot than to a live individual. Finally, the cost of delivering this service is minimal compared to the cost of an hour's worth of counseling with a psychiatrist or a psychologist. Medical records: Every individual's medical history from birth onward can be stored on the internet. These records can be retrieved at any time from any place. These are password protected using the individual's social security number. Everyone should be reminded to always keep their number in their purse or wallet. Quick retrieval of this information can facilitate diagnosis and treatment. Diagnostics: Another area where AI can be applied is in improving the cost, speed, and accuracy of diagnosis. Blood analysis can be automated, heart function and other measures can be accessed, and x-rays can be read automatially and immediately. A diagnosis can be completed as soon as all inputs are entered. Surgery: Computers connected to various medical devices can be programmed to perform surgical procedures accurately. Treatment will be facilitated and cost reduced. Patient monitoring: The use of various sensors can monitor a patient's condition. Medical staff can be summoned if their condition requires attention. Dispensing medication: Robots can be programmed to provide patients with medication in a timely manner. Research: As a large pool of patient information is accumulated, AI can detect relationships between human practices and the occurrance of diseases. Also, AI can associate the effects of various chemical compounds and/or medical procedures on various disease processes, and recommend these as possible treatments.

The Work at Home Trend Can Have Far-Reaching Effects.

The recent COVID pandemic resulted in a work at home requirement for many employees. Once the pandemic abated, many workers continued to work at home. This trend has many implications both positive and negative. Positive changes include: (1) A reduction in the expense of operating and maintaining office buildings. (2) The need for office buildings could potentially be eliminated or reduced to a much smaller structure. Cost savings can be appreciable. (3) Meetings could be held online. (4) The time lost to commuting can provide workers with more time to devote to online work. (5) Employees could realize more income by reducing the cost of commuting and car maintenance. (6) A reduction in pollution as vehicles are used less. (7) A reduction in the price of gasoline as transportation to work places declines. (8) Abandoned or reduced use of office building space can be converted to much needed living spaces. Working at home could have some negative ramifications including: (1) A loss of property value as office buildings decline in need. (2) A decrease in the construction of new office buildings. (3) An increase in abandoned buildings where alternate uses are not found. (4) Loss of tax revenue when cities are faced with abandoned buildings. (5) Loss of revenue by retail establishments like restaurants and shopping centers as office workers no longer commute to cities. (6) Loss of jobs by those needed to operate office buildings and retail establishments. (7) A decline in mass transit (buses and trains.)

Laptop usage can automatically improve a student's vocabulary and grammar

As school districts transition to one laptop computer per student the need for dictionaries should decline. This assumes that all reading and writing takes place on a laptop. In the recent past, a student had to stop reading and resort to a dictionary when confronted with a word that was unfamiliar. Today's computers can contain a built-in dictionary. When the student clicks on an unfamiliar word, the definition appears automatically. Another advantage would be laptops that flag and correct grammatical and spelling errors as a student writes. Repeated corrections should ultimately help the student learn correct grammar and spelling. Schools should see to it that all their computers have programs that provide word definitions and spelling/grammar checkers. These programs can help improve a student's reading and writing.

A Look at Natural Sources of Energy

Wherever there is motion in nature there exists a source of renewable energy. Air (wind), water (rivers, oceans), and light (sun rays) are all souces of energy. Harnessing this energy, while free and abundant, requires expensive infrastructure such as turbines, solar arrays, and dams. Additionally, dynamos are needed to convert these energy sources into electricity. These devices create electricity by rotating magnets (rotors) through a strong magnetic field. The rotors are moved by any of the energy sources cited above. The electricity is then routed through wires to wherever it is needed. Wind and water are probably the most efficient sources of energy. Turbines capture the energy of: wind or streams from dams. Either of these can move the rotors that generate electricity. Ocean energy in the form of tides and waves is especially abundant, but used the least. More research is needed on how to capture wave energy. Another little used abundant energy source is geothermal, the internal heat source within the earth. Non-renewable enegy sources are contributing to global warming. Some may argue that implementing renwable energy is too expensive, but the dangerous impact of using combustables like coal and oil on climate change far exceedes this cost. Now is the best time to fund research on how to effiiently implement renewable energy sources before it is too late.

What Motivated the Killing of Children at Sandy Hook?

The killer responsible for the Sandy Hook massacre was a former student. He was removed from this school and placed on homebound instruction due to his aberrant behavior. At the age of 20 he returned to this school and murdered many students and staff. I believe that if the school took action to help this student rather than expel him the outcome would have been far different. Apparently, Sandy Hook had no onsite mental health services to treat this troubled child. While counseling services have traditionally been offered at most Middle and High School levels, nothing was provded in most elementary schools at the time. Most elementary school children do not respond well to talk therapy as is common in counseling programs in middle and high schools. Play therapy is preferred as this is how young children readily express their feelings. This treatment can be provided individually or in small groups of students. The goal is to help acting out children to express their anger in socially acceptable ways. Withdrwn children are encouraged to express their feelings in an environment they percieved as safe and accepting. Play therapy counselers require special training. They must be tolerant of noise and play activity of young children. Behavior limits are imposed only when a child's safety is at risk. Counseling services should be provided to parents as well. Finally, schools must be supportive of a play therapy program. This means providing a special room along with various play items that appeal to young children.

Elementary Schools Need More Guidance Programs

Guidance programs are common in most middle and high schools. Many districts, except the well endowed, have no services at the elementary level. This is unfortunate as emotional problems often begin in children below the age of 11. Programs aimed at thwarting emotional problems from progressing work best when services are started as early as pre-school or kindergarten. Guidance services for elementary school children will require counselors skilled in play therapy as play is how young children best express their feelings. Play therapy can be provided individually or for groups of two or more chilren. Unfortunately, college training programs for these counselors has been sparse or non-existant, eventough play therapy requires more complicated preparation than that of "talk" counseling. Too often, emotionally disturbed elementary school children have been placed in homebound programs. This seemingly solves the problem for the school, but adds to the social isolation of the child and and increases their turmrmoi. Note: Mr Abate, now retired, worked for many years as a school psychologist administering play therapy to K-5 children and counseling their parents.

Autonomous Trucking Advantages

FedEx is expected to test the use of autonomous trucks to make supply deliveries. Initially, a human will be included to monitor performance. If successful, a number of advantages will be realized: (1) Trucks can operate 24/7, stopping only for refueling, scheduled maintenance, traffic delays, and emergency repairs. (2) Cost reduction as human drivers will no longer be required. (3) More timely delivery as trucks can operate continuously. (4) Accident reduction as trucks will be programmed to follow all traffic regulations and safety practices. Also, the risk of accidents due to fatigued drivers is eliminated. The only disadvantage is the elimination of truck drivers as a source of employment.

Battery Back-up for Homes

During storm produced blackouts some homes have backup gasoline powered generators. These contribute to air polution, are noisy, and need more maintenance. A better, more convenient solution would be battery back-up. The batteries would remain charged at all times by the house's electric grid. We have batteries that can power an electric vehicle for over 300 miles. Newer batteries are said to last substantially longer.

Auto Manufacturers Can Do More to Thwart Car Thefts

Car thefts seem to be increasing throughout the USA. Automakers have the hitech means to deter this activity. Intermittant horn blowing present in some cars today is one deterent, but cutting the connection will disrupt this feature. I would propose the following be built into all new autos at the factory: (1) A system that can be activated remotely via wi-fi that will prevent the car from exceeding a speed of 15 miles per hour. This will encourage the thieves to abandon the car. (2) Activate intermittant horn blowing after the car is driven a mile or less by the thief. This activity will signal that the car is stolen. This feature can be hard-wired into all new cars or it may be activated via wi-fi. (3) Include a tracking system that activates automatically whenever the vehicle is stolen. Such a system will continuously reveal the location of the vehicle. These features should be designed to be thwart proof. Once thieves become aware of these deterents their desire to steal vehicles will decline. Auto insurers should provide reduced premiums for all autos that have these features.

The Arrival of Autonomous Vehicles (AKA Self-Driving Cars or Driverless Cars); A Quirk or Transformational Event?

Autonomous vehicles (self-driving cars or AVs) powered by batteries have become an interesting and intriguing topic in the literature recently. People will probably view these cars with a degree of fear; can they be safe and reliable? Surprisingly, the technology to monitor and react to changing road conditions is available and continues to improve. Some companies have produced working prototypes of these vehicles. Truck manufacturers have been especially interested in these modes of transportation as they can run 24/7 without a driver; the economics are staggering. 

Assuming technical issues are resolved, the wholesale adoption of AVs can have positive outcomes. (QuantumScape claims to have resolved limitations with its lithium metal battery that provides fast charging that can last for 450 miles.) These vehicles would be expected to follow all road regulations like speed limits and rights of way. A large reduction in accidents could result. The cost of insurance should recede. Maintenance costs should decline dramatically as AVs have fewer moving parts and do not require oil changes. The need for a driving license may become unnecessary. Stoplights would no longer be needed as all vehicles would be aware of each other's location and any road obstacles, including pedestrians, and adjust speed and maneuver accordingly. Also, adjustments would be made according to changing weather conditions. Passing other vehicles would not be allowed except where obstacles are blocking the road. Traffic flow would become optimized automatically. Traffic tie-ups would be minimized. The problem of "driving under the influence" would be negated. Of course, all of these positives assume that the driver remains absent from the control of his vehicle. A common theme would be "sit back and let your car do the driving." Another advantage would be a large reduction in polluting carbon dioxide into the atmosphere as all AVs are ultimately expected to be battery-powered.

Some authorities even foresee an era of Shared Autonomous Vehicles (SAVs) where everyone has access to transportation. Car ownership is no longer required. The need for taxis would be eliminated. Simply hale an empty AV or arrange for one to pick you up at your current location. Payment would be provided by one's credit card. Voice input would provide the trip destination desired. Rides can be private or shared with others. Autonomous buses would be available for group transportation. Autonomous trucks will proliferate. Some individuals may still prefer ownership with the option to share their vehicle for a price charged to those seeking a ride. SAVs have the potential to reduce traffic as they will only operate for specified trips. For example, one SAV could make several trips for say ten different passengers over a given day. Otherwise, these same 10 people would place up to TEN autos on the road if SAVs were not available. The need for public parking lots and garages will decline.

The adoption of AVs would have to overcome a number of negatives to be successful. First, it may take some time for people to have confidence in their safety and reliability. Secondly, many drivers may be reluctant to give up control of their car as they take a certain amount of pride in driving their vehicle or prefer to drive it differently than that prescribed autonomously. Another concern is the recharging of batteries; can this be done automatically at a remote charging station when needed? A system must be in place to thwart theft of SAVs like remote disabling of the vehicle. Finally, the transition to AVs may be complicated when both AVs and driver-controlled vehicles share the road.  For example, some drivers may become annoyed when it is following an SAV driving at or below the speed limit. 

Transitioning to AVs is conjectural at present as it represents a profound change in our mode of transportation similar to the transition from the horse and buggy to motorized vehicles. But if AVs do dominate the transportation industry, they will have a major impact on all levels of our society. What is your opinion? Your comments are welcome.